{"id":135274,"date":"2023-12-28T12:32:38","date_gmt":"2023-12-28T12:32:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/12\/28\/player-ratings-as-late-madueke-penalty-settles-london-derby\/"},"modified":"2023-12-28T12:32:38","modified_gmt":"2023-12-28T12:32:38","slug":"player-ratings-as-late-madueke-penalty-settles-london-derby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/12\/28\/player-ratings-as-late-madueke-penalty-settles-london-derby\/","title":{"rendered":"Player ratings as late Madueke penalty settles London derby \u2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Chelsea bounced back from their Christmas Eve humbling by beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mauricio Pochettino named the Blues\u2019 youngest ever starting lineup in the Premier League era and they looked far more assured of themselves on their return to home soil.<\/p>\n

The visiting Eagles put up a good fight but fell short at the last to ensure their miserable run against Chelsea continued.<\/p>\n

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How the game unfolded<\/h3>\n

The away end thought their side had taken a fifth-minute lead when Ebere Eze\u2019s low free-kick struck the side-netting, only realising seconds later the ball had gone the wrong side of the post.<\/p>\n

Surprise starter Ian Maatsen went close to breaking the deadlock after meeting a fine through ball from Mykhailo Mudryk, but Tyrick Mitchell retreated to clear the ball off the line in the nick of time.<\/p>\n

Soon after,\u00a0Chelsea\u00a0notched themselves ahead. Malo Gusto carried on a run over from right to left after some neat link-up play with Christopher Nkunku, crossing for Mudryk to finish from close range.<\/p>\n

The Ukrainian went close to adding his second midway through the first half when sent through by a clever back-heel from Nicolas Jackson, only to be denied by the sprawling frame of Dean Henderson.<\/p>\n

Nkunku was next to be freed by Jackson, but he completely missed the ball when trying to fire at goal and his pocket was picked by Chris Richards.<\/p>\n

In first-half stoppage time,\u00a0Palace\u00a0found a leveller. Benoit Badiashile\u2019s poor clearance was pounced upon by Richards, and Jordan Ayew crossed the loose ball for Michael Olise to finish freely at the far post after evading Levi Colwill and Moises Caicedo.<\/p>\n

After the break, Djordje Petrovic was forced into a low save when Jean-Philippe Mateta fired at his near post as Palace ramped up the pressure.<\/p>\n

Chelsea should have gone back in front when Jackson was played in by Conor Gallagher, but he shanked his shot to the frustration of the Stamford Bridge crowd.<\/p>\n

Seconds later, Jackson thought he had atoned for his error. Thiago Silva\u2019s cross was deflected upwards by Eze, and Jackson pulled away from Nathaniel Clyne to provide a simple finish beyond Henderson. However, the Senegal international was ruled offside and the goal was chalked off.<\/p>\n

Down the other end, Olise was twice in quick succession denied the chance of a brace, first by a flying block by Gusto and then a save at the near post from Petrovic.<\/p>\n

With second-half stoppage time looming, Chelsea were awarded a penalty after a VAR check, with Eze adjudged to have tripped Noni Madueke. The winger himself stepped up and sent Henderson the wrong way to seal the points.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea player ratings (4-2-3-1)<\/h2>\n
\"Mykhaylo<\/figure>\n

Nkunku and Mudryk were excellent \/ Justin Setterfield\/GettyImages<\/p>\n

GK: Djordje Petrovic \u2013 7\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Proving his worth as a worthy stand-in for the injured Robert Sanchez.<\/p>\n

RB: Malo Gusto \u2013 7\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Played a huge role in the game\u2019s opening goal, floating across the pitch ensuring the move reached Mudryk. Defended well on the right and left.<\/p>\n

CB: Axel Disasi \u2013 5\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Still seems out of synch with his teammates. Not necessarily at fault for a goal but shaky throughout.<\/p>\n

CB: Benoit Badiashile \u2013 5\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Like compatriot Disasi was hardly confident in his defending.<\/p>\n

LB: Levi Colwill \u2013 4\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Put in a blender by Olise. Lacked the requisite pace and lost the winger for the equaliser. Hooked before the hour mark.<\/p>\n

CM: Moises Caicedo \u2013 4\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Communication error with Colwill led to Palace grabbing an equaliser from nowhere. Sloppy in possession all night long.<\/p>\n

CM: Conor Gallagher \u2013 6\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Grew in confidence the more the game went on and the more Chelsea found their back to the wall.<\/p>\n

RM: Ian Maatsen \u2013 5\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Didn\u2019t look out of place but didn\u2019t create a lot either.<\/p>\n

AM: Christopher Nkunku \u2013 8\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0The connector. Chelsea\u2019s attackers looked far more at ease due to the Frenchman\u2019s presence, weaving his way between defenders and finding space.<\/p>\n

LM: Mykhailo Mudryk \u2013 8\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Stepped up to the plate with an electric and all-round first-half display. Quietened in the second half before being brought off with an ankle injury.<\/p>\n

CF: Nicolas Jackson \u2013 6\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0A mixed evening. Bodied Palace\u2019s defenders in the first half and brought others into play, but his wastefulness threatened to cost Chelsea again.<\/p>\n

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Substitutes<\/h3>\n

SUB: Romeo Lavia (58\u2032 for Maatsen) \u2013 6\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Finally made his Chelsea debut after long-term injury woes. Kept play ticking.<\/p>\n

SUB: Thiago Silva (58\u2032 for Colwill) \u2013 6\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Opened up Palace with his long-range passing, opened up Chelsea with some wayward defending.<\/p>\n

SUB: Noni Madueke (71\u2032 for Mudryk) \u2013 8\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0The ultimate impact substitute. His introduction had the exact desired impact.<\/p>\n

SUB: Armando Broja (71\u2032 for Nkunku) \u2013 7\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Threw himself about in a lively and useful cameo.<\/p>\n

SUB: Alfie Gilchrist (90\u2032 for Badiashile) \u2013 N\/A \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Made his senior debut in added time.<\/p>\n

Subs not used: Marcus Bettinelli (GK), Lucas Bergstrom (GK), Leo Castledine, Alex Matos<\/em><\/p>\n

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Manager<\/h3>\n

Mauricio Pochettino \u2013 8\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0One of Chelsea\u2019s better performances of the season and his substitutions worked perfectly.<\/p>\n

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Crystal Palace player ratings (4-3-3)<\/h2>\n
\"Michael<\/figure>\n

Olise was electric \/ Sebastian Frej\/MB Media\/GettyImages<\/p>\n

GK: Dean Henderson \u2013 6\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Made some key saves to keep Palace in the contest.<\/p>\n

RB: Nathaniel Clyne \u2013 5\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Given the runaround by Mudryk. A little relieved that Jackson\u2019s goal was ruled offside.<\/p>\n

CB: Joachim Andersen \u2013 6\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Didn\u2019t provide his usual passing range to open up a high Chelsea line. Defending was fine for the most part though.<\/p>\n

CB: Marc Guehi \u2013 6\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0A confident performance on his return to Stamford Bridge, which is more than can be said for Chelsea\u2019s starting centre-backs.<\/p>\n

LB: Tyrick Mitchell \u2013 6\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Excelled defensively for much of the evening but his efforts weren\u2019t enough in the end.<\/p>\n

DM: Chris Richards \u2013 6\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0The disruptor in midfield, breaking up Chelsea transitions one way or another.<\/p>\n

CM: Jefferson Lerma \u2013 6\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Pressed high alongside Eze when trying to win the ball back.<\/p>\n

CM: Ebere Eze \u2013 4\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Ultimately cost his side with a mistimed challenge inside the penalty area.<\/p>\n

RW: Michael Olise \u2013 8\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Showed exactly why Chelsea tried so hard to sign him, tormenting them from the off.<\/p>\n

CF: Jean-Philippe Mateta \u2013 6\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Bullied and bulldozed Chelsea\u2019s backline.<\/p>\n

LW: Jordan Ayew \u2013 7\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Ran ever so hard for his team and looked flat out when substituted. Provided a fine assist for Olise.<\/p>\n

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Substitutes<\/h3>\n

SUB: Jeffrey Schlupp (79\u2032 for Ayew) \u2013 5\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n

SUB: Matheus Franca (90\u2032 for Lerma) \u2013 N\/A<\/strong><\/p>\n

Subs not used: Remi Matthews (GK), James Tomkins, Omotayo Adaramola, Jairo Riedewald, Will Hughes, Naouirou Ahamada, David Ozoh<\/em><\/p>\n

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Manager<\/h3>\n

Roy Hodgson \u2013 6\/10 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Palace defended resolutely but were just a little too blunt in attack to steal a point.<\/p>\n

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Player of the match \u2013 Noni Madueke (Chelsea)<\/h3>\n
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