Chelsea's frustrating 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace saw missed chances, defensive lapses, and questionable decisions from both VAR and manager Maresca, leaving fans exasperated and longing for the early-season spark.
Chelsea's trip to Selhurst Park felt like a must-win from the outset. With other results conspiring against us, this was a big one, and historically, we’ve done alright at Palace despite their ultras giving it the bigun behind the goal.
The team selection offered reasons for cautious optimism. Sanchez was back in goal (cue collective groan and sick face emoji 😷), but Acheampong at centre-back was a welcome surprise. The kid showed some promise, and let’s face it, he had to, given Gusto’s recent form. Enzo Fernandez in a midfield two still makes me nervous, though, and as for Neto… let’s just say I’m not convinced.
Fast Start, Glimpses of Brilliance
Chelsea started well, playing with a fluidity that stretched Palace and looked promising. Acheampong caught the eye early with some classy touches and assured passing. Then, the moment of the half, Sancho absolutely sends the Palace fullback for donuts with an outrageous dummy and burst of pace. He lays it off to Palmer, who calmly slots it into the bottom corner. 1-0!
At that point, you’re thinking, “Go on, get the second!” Neto had a chance to make it happen but scuffed his cutback to Palmer. Later, Palmer returned the favour with a sublime pass to Jackson, who turned his defender inside out before inexplicably firing wide with the outside of his boot.
I’ve watched the replay a dozen times—it’s more of a pen than Delap’s for Ipswich last week. Absolutely fuming.
Missed Opportunities Come Back to Haunt Us
Half-time came, and the feeling was clear: we needed a second (and probably a third) to kill the game. Predictably, Palace came out swarming, with Eze missing an absolute sitter that had us sweating bullets.
Jackson’s hold-up play was decent, and he set up Palmer nicely, but the resulting cross was pure charity shop quality. Then came the big controversy: Neto appeared to have a stonewall penalty, but VAR waved it away. I’ve watched the replay a dozen times—it’s more of a pen than Delap’s for Ipswich last week. Absolutely fuming.
Meanwhile, chances kept falling for Jackson, but his finishing was, shall we say, unpolished. Caicedo won the ball high up and teed him up perfectly, but once again, Jackson fluffed his lines.
Maresca’s Inertia Costs Us
As the game wore on, Palace started ripping us apart on the left. Cucurella was all over the place, Enzo was doing a disappearing act defensively, and Sanchez… well, Sanchez did Sanchez things. His decision to lump a pointless ball forward in the 83rd minute led directly to Palace’s equaliser. A gut punch, but honestly, you could see it coming.
And where was Maresca during all this? Watching from the sidelines as if he was auditioning for a waxwork at Madame Tussauds. No changes. Nada. Felix, Nkunku, Viega, anyone could’ve made a difference, but the gaffer waited too long.
Maresca’s reluctance to back the team to chase for the title has drained the confidence out of this squad.
Full-Time Frustration
1-1. Another game where we were the better side, created the better chances, and still didn’t get the job done. It’s been the story of the last month. Maresca’s reluctance to back the team to chase for the title has drained the confidence out of this squad. At the start of the season, he was proactive, making half-time switches that changed games. Now, he seems content to sit on his hands while we throw away points.
On to the FA Cup against Morecambe. Maybe some shooting practice will help, though with a game on Tuesday, you can bet we’ll see the B team for that.
In the meantime, someone get Maresca a dog. Why? So he can learn to hold onto a lead.
