Chelsea cruise past Palace in Premier League opener

Just four days after their success against Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup, Chelsea got their league campaign off to the perfect start against Crystal Palace. Goals in the first half from Alonso and Pulisic were added to by a second-half Trevor Chalobah stunner on his Premier League debut, as Patrick Vieira was dealt a shock on his return to the Premier League.

Thomas Tuchel's side showed no signs of fatigue from Wednesday night's match as they were the quickest off the blocks and dominated the early stages. Guaita was called into action to deny a Pulisic header and a free-kick from Mount, although there was nothing he could do to stop the set-piece on 27 minutes.

Mount was brought down just outside the Palace box towards the corner, a position that appeared to favour the left footer. Indeed, up stepped Marcos Alonso to curl the ball delightfully into the top corner, as Guaita joined the fans inside Stamford Bridge in watching the ball hit the back of the net, the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

It was 2-0 thirteen minutes later as Chelsea showed no signs of letting up. Mount, who was electric all game, linked up well with Azpilicueta down the right before firing a cross that Guaita could only push away. Pulisic was jogging on the spot to react quickest, stabbing the ball home via a deflection and the crossbar.

Werner and Alonso had opportunities to make it three either side of half time, the German directing Alonso's pull back narrowly wide before the Spaniard had an effort of his own well saved by Guaita. Palace then threatened for the first time in 54 minutes of play when Rudiger and Christensen were called into action to intercept Zaha's cut-back. Just four minutes later, however, it was game over.

Tuchel may have raised a few eyebrows by keeping academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah in the starting eleven after his prominence in pre-season and the Super Cup final, but his decision was more than justified on 58 minutes. The young centre-back found himself in space in the Palace half following Kovacic's threaded pass. He had the confidence to drive forward and fire a rocket across goal, which flew past Guaita and in off the far post.

Cue the celebrations from the entire Chelsea squad who gathered round the youngster, who appeared to have surprised even himself by getting on the scoresheet, no less in that manner. Chelsea's dominance continued to the final whistle, with Mendy being called into action once to deny Ayew's header. 

 

August 14, 2021

Without Kante, Ziyech, Chilwell and barely ten minutes of Havertz, combined with the imminent introduction of Lukaku, Chelsea showed their title credentials with a dominant display from start to finish. Their next match comes away at Arsenal on 22nd August, who will be looking to get back to winning ways after their opening day defeat to newly promoted Brentford.

 

August 14, 2021