Chelsea produce improved performance in much needed 1-0 win over Crystal Palace

Before the match started the fans at Stamford Bridge and some of Gianluca Vialli’s former teammates as well as current players paid tribute to the great man and Chelsea legend who sadly passed away just over a week ago.

In terms of team news Graham Potter made five changes to the team beaten against Fulham in midweek. He gave a full debut to 21 year old French centre back Benoit Badiashile who was signed from Monaco earlier this month. He came in for Kalidou Kouliably. Cesar Azpilicueta was also on the bench. Jorginho came into midfield with Conor Gallagher and Carney Chukwuemeka also given starts in place of Mateo Kovacic and the injured Denis Zakaria. Hakim Ziyech also came in for the suspended Joao Felix.

Chelsea seemed to line up initially with a back four with Chalobah at right back and 18 year old Lewis Hall allowed to attack further forward on the left side. The structure and positions/personnel seemed to be interchangeable though. The lineup initially was shown as a 4-3-3 but looked more like 4-2-3-1 when the team was on the pitch and started playing. Conor Gallagher seemed to start next to Jorginho in a deeper role. Mount started on the left and Chukwuemeka was in the number ten role but all three (Gallagher, Mount and Chukwuemeka) seemed to interchange and rotate at points throughout the match. It also seemed a bit different out of possession and in possession as has been the case with Potter in most games. The team (bar a few players) was a relatively young one with the number of injuries currently in the squad playing a role.

It was not a vintage performance from the blues but at the end the fans and everyone involved with the club will be relieved with the three points. The team dominated possession (62%) and had chances to take the lead in the first half but did not capitalise on them. In the end the only goal of the game came via a cross from Hakim Ziyech after a short corner which Kai Havertz headed in.

There were quite a few good performances within the team. These included Kepa in goal, who made some crucial saves, Hakim Ziyech who generally had a good game and also provided the assist for Kai Havertz’ winning goal. Thiago Silva was also very good as is quite usual, especially in the second half helping to preserve the win and clean sheet. Conor Gallagher had arguably his best game of the season. Benoit Badiashile on debut looked very assured next to Silva. Silva could have been given man of the match and Kepa also for his saves but I will give some focus and provide some data on three other players who I thought performed well in this particular game.

Benoît Badiashile v. Crystal Palace.

72/75 passes completed (96 % accuracy) - most passes completed and most accurate passer

11 duels won

6 aerial duels won

9 clearances (most)

2/4 tackles won

6 ball recoveries

0 x dribbled past

0 fouls

Gallagher’s stats and his heat map (via sofa score) show his combative and energetic performance.

58 passes completed (88% pass accuracy)

21 final third passes

1/1 long balls completed

4 dribbles completed

2 crosses completed

3 key passes

16 duels won

6 fouls won

Hakim Ziyech v Crystal Palace

28 final third passes (most)

17 passes into opp. box (most)

5 touches in opp. box

4 passes into final ⅓

4 successful dribbles (most)

3 shots

2 chances created

1 assist

4/5 tackles won

7 ball recoveries  

(Stats via Squawka and FotMob)

Graham Potter was pleased most with the win and three points.

“Overall we played quite well, they had their moments as well but today was about getting the victory - park it as three valuable points against a team that was pushing as well.

We try to play well and I thought at times we did, you have to understand the context of the situation we are in so it isn't going to be sensational football all the time. The boys have worked hard."

Kai Havertz who scored the winning goal underlined the importance of the win and some of the difficulties surrounding the club in recent weeks.

"The last few weeks were tough. For everyone at the club, it is not easy under these circumstances, 

A lot of things changed this year. We have so many injuries. Today we had five young players in the starting XI, they are doing a really good job at the moment."

(quotes via BBC Sport)

It was a crucial win and three points. The performance was also encouraging and improved from recent games. Chelsea will be looking to carry that forward in a big clash away to Liverpool next Saturday. The top four may be out of reach for now but with half the season still to go they will be looking to climb the table.