When Mauricio Pochettino looks for proof that he is capable of creating something coherent out of this talented and often chaotic Chelsea squad, he could be forgiven for dwelling on the persistence that made this nervy victory over Crystal Palace possible.
It had seemed this would be another night when the promise was greater than the end product. After taking an early lead through Mykhailo Mudryk, Chelsea were in danger of dropping more points at Stamford Bridge. Pegged back by Michael Olise’s equaliser, they had toiled during the second half and Palace were inching towards a result that would have moved them four points above the bottom three.
Instead the mood changed when Noni Madueke, who has made little impact since joining Chelsea last January, stepped off the bench and made the most of a rare appearance by winning and converting a late penalty. Up to 10th, Chelsea could reflect on a fourth consecutive home win in all competitions.
The constant flux within the squad has not made it easy for Pochettino to build, a reality underlined by the Argentinian making five changes after the defeat to Wolves. Injuries have bit hard, as has Chelsea’s chronic indiscipline. This time Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer were missing through suspension, while Enzo Fernández remained absent in midfield, and the fact this was Chelsea’s youngest-ever starting lineup in the Premier League made Palace keen from the start, particularly with Olise immediately looking dangerous against Levi Colwill.
When Chelsea did click, though, there were moments to make their fans purr. After a slow start they came alive when Mudryk sprayed a diagonal pass behind Tyrick Mitchell. Palace were grateful that Dean Henderson came rushing out to take the pace off Ian Maatsen’s effort.
Stationed on the right wing, Maatsen was making his first league start of the season. The real story, though, was a belated full debut for Christopher Nkunku in the No 10 position. After a goalscoring cameo against Wolves, Chelsea were desperate for proof that their problems can be traced back to the forward picking up a knee injury soon after his move from RB Leipzig last summer.
There would be encouragement early on. Chelsea were lively when they beat Palace’s press. Malo Gusto surged inside from right-back and Nathaniel Clyne’s slip gave Nkunku space. Quick as a flash, the Frenchman took full advantage. He found Gusto with a clever reverse pass and Mudryk arrived to prod the defender’s cutback past Henderson.
Chelsea were soon looking for more. Henderson made a vital save from Mudryk, Maatsen had a shot deflected wide and a second goal was on the cards when Nicolas Jackson outwitted Joachim Andersen before releasing Nkunku, only for Chris Richards to make a crucial intervention.
Still, though, there were flashes from Palace: a cross from Olise, a surge from Jean-Philippe Mateta, a drive from Eberechi Eze. Chelsea had to remain alert; Chelsea did not remain alert. Stoppage time arrived, a set piece was partially cleared and Maatsen lost out to Richards. The ball moved left, Jordan Ayew crossed and Colwill lost his bearings. Olise, who almost joined Chelsea last summer, was free to lash the equaliser home.
It was not Colwill’s first error of the season. The left-back remains raw. Mistakes are inevitable at this level. Even Palace, with all their problems, are capable of rooting out weaknesses. How much is down to mentality? The equaliser rattled Chelsea and they struggled at the start of the second half. Eze, such a graceful dribbler, went close with a free-kick and Mateta tested Djordje Petrovic.
Pochettino responded by replacing Colwill with the wise old head of Thiago Silva. Maatsen went off for Roméo Lavia, another expensive debutant. Gusto switched to left-back. Palace continued to look composed at the back and menacing on the break.
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Chelsea introduced more firepower, Armando Broja and Madueke replacing the tiring Nkunku and Mudryk, and they found a second wind. With 17 minutes left Moisés Caicedo linked with Conor Gallagher, who pierced Palace with a lovely ball. Through on goal, Jackson somehow steered his shot wide.
There was more frustration for Jackson when he had a goal ruled out for offside after a VAR review. Andersen, who had inexplicably let Silva’s cross go over his head, was a relieved man. So was Silva when his mistake led to a chance for Olise, whose shot was repelled by Petrovic.
There was still hope for Chelsea. Silva hit a raking pass towards Broja, who controlled brilliantly before shooting wide. Palace were beginning to wobble. A corner came in, Madueke twisted past Eze on the edge of the area and went over the Palace midfielder’s outstretched leg.
Michael Salisbury inevitably awarded the penalty after finally being told to stop play and consult the pitchside monitor. The rest was down to Madueke, who stepped up to send Henderson the wrong way from 12 yards. Chelsea’s relief was immense.