Table of Contents
Chelsea came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-1 thanks to injury-time goals from Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez in the Premier League at Selhurst Park on Monday night.
Gallagher put the visitors 2-1 up with his second goal of the game before Fernandez sealed the victory as Chelsea rallied to secure the points which took them to 10th in the standings.
It was a tale of two halves for the Blues, who went into the break a goal down after a superb goal from Jefferson Lerma before Gallagher fired home to equalize in the 47th minute.
Monday’s result was Chelsea’s 13th consecutive victory against Crystal Palace in the Premier League, a club record.
mail sports Kieran Gill takes a look at some of the things you may have missed.
Matheus Franca joined Crystal Palace from Flamengo instead of Chelsea last summer
New Palace ace makes his point clear
Chelsea wanted Matheus Franca last summer but it is believed that their intention to immediately send him on loan to one of their affiliated clubs was not attractive enough for the 19-year-old Brazilian.
Instead, he signed for Crystal Palace in a £26million move from Flamengo, and his contract even contained a Ballon d’Or nomination clause.
Starting on the left flank, Franca and her teammates did their best to torment Chelsea right back Malo Gusto, who struggled in the first half but assisted in Conor Gallagher’s equaliser.
The failure of the blues in the first part is very far from the women
It wasn’t until the 45th minute of this match that Chelsea had a shot of any kind, Conor Gallagher dragging an attempt wide.
At least Chelsea Women showed Crystal Palace that they know how to attack in their FA Cup fifth round tie on Sunday with 13 tries.
Mayra Ramírez scored outrageous goal for Chelsea Women in FA Cup victory
Mayra Ramírez scored the winning goal (an outrageous finish from a cross) and scored her first goal since Chelsea broke the world record for a female soccer player three weeks ago. The Colombian, 24, cost £384,000 plus £42,600 in add-ons when he bought him from Levante.
Chelsea is the leader of the Women’s Super League. The less said about how the men’s season has been, the better.
Good choice by the Selhurst Park DJ while we waited for the referee team to resolve their technical problems so we could start the second half. The silence was broken when Bob Marley’s The Three Little Birds suddenly started playing.
Cech gives the surprise
Petr Cech’s surprise appearance on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football coincided with his interview on Jake Humphrey’s High Performance Podcast, teased as: “Why I left Chelsea.”
Cech’s sudden presence in the media means we can only assume that the confidentiality agreement he had with Chelsea has expired, as it has been 19 months since he left the club as a technical advisor.
Cech spent last week on loan at ice hockey team Belfast Giants, although the Premier League great will return to Oxford City Stars.
Crystal Palace fans held up banners protesting the club’s ownership of Selhurst Park.
Palace fans express frustration
There was no shortage of banners from frustrated Crystal Palace fans.
“Weak culture and management of the club,” said one. “Supporters ignored and took for granted,” another. ‘Weak transfer policy. “Youth was the scapegoat,” a third.
Passions can run high at Selhurst Park. Even a waiter next to the media seats was singing at the top of his lungs.
Chelsea fans sleep outside to help the homeless
The good work of supporters’ groups can sometimes go unnoticed, but an initiative organized by the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust deserves column inches.
The CST is arranging for up to 200 fans to sleep under the East Stand at Stamford Bridge next month. Not in a plush bed with pillows, but in a sleeping bag on top of a flattened cardboard box.
The hope is to raise tens of thousands to combat homelessness and support vulnerable and disabled veterans so they can live fulfilling lives.
Proceeds from this ‘Big Stamford Bridge Sleep Out’ on March 23 will go to the Stoll and Barons Court Project charities.
Mauricio Pochettino invited Charlie Holland, 14, and Rio Ngumoha, 15, to first team training
Poch’s great invitation for the Academy stars
The good thing about Chelsea’s academy being based on the same training ground as the first team (unlike other Premier League clubs such as West Ham) is that it encourages a good working relationship between the two.
Ahead of this match, Charlie Holland, 14, and Rio Ngumoha, 15, are understood to have trained alongside Raheem Sterling and co with Mauricio Pochettino.
The Netherlands were also invited to train with the big boys when Frank Lampard was coach last season.