December 28, (THEWILL) – Chelsea left it late to claim a vital 2-1 English Premier League victory over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. Mykhailo Mudryk put the hosts in front early on, before Michael Olise equalised right on half-time with a superb half-volley. The game looked to be heading for a draw until substitute Noni Madueke won and converted an 89th-minute penalty to snatch all three points for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
The win lifts Chelsea back into the top half of the table and will relieve some of the pressure on Pochettino. Mudryk opened the scoring after just 13 minutes when he turned home Malo Gusto’s cross at the back post. Olise stunned the hosts right on half time with his equaliser, cancelling out Chelsea’s first-half dominance.
The second half was a tighter affair with chances at both ends. Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher spurned a great opportunity to win it when he slotted wide with only the keeper to beat. However, with the game in added time, Madueke was brought down in the area and kept his composure to tuck home the penalty.
The result will come as a relief for under pressure Chelsea boss Pochettino, whose side has struggled for consistency so far this campaign. The win sees the Blues move up to 10th in the table on 25 points, six behind 6th-placed Manchester United. Palace remained 15th on 18 points after their eighth game without a win.
Chelsea now turn their attention to Sunday’s away tie against Luton, while Palace host Brentford on New Year’s Eve. Pochettino will be hoping this hard-fought victory can be the catalyst for an upturn in League form, home and away.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
