An 82nd minute finish from Jean Philippe-Mateta secured a point for Crystal Palace as they played out a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, Afrosport reports.
Chelsea started off the game on top and their early persistance paid off as Jadon Sancho produced a wonderful dummy for Cole Palmer who fired a shot past Dean Henderson.
Already with the early advantage, Chelsea kept on knocking for a second as Nicolas Jackson failed to get his shot on target from a tight angle offf a Pedro Neto header from Palmer’s freekick.
Palace however started the second half on the upper foot as Eberechi Eze missed an chance to equalise after being picked out by Daniel Munoz.
Upon getting to the hour mark, Robert Sanchez denied Chris Richards after he met an Eze cross from the right flank.
With less than 15 minutes remaining to play, the game seemed to be slowly slipping away from Chelsea as they were still yet to produce a shot on target apart from the goal.
Furthermore, the visitors had to suffer for a slack in defense which Mateta capitalised on an error from Palmer through Eze’s pass.
🤌#CPFC // #CRYCHE pic.twitter.com/dsovky8MmG
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 4, 2025
Enzo Fernandez escaped a potential red card after a foul on Munoz in the 80th minute but was only given a yellow.
Chelsea tried to fight for a late goal but all to no avail. The result seems them remain in third place on the Premier League standings and will next face Morecambe Wanders in the third round of the FA Cup.
