Another evening of high drama for Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea, this time resulting in a late, late win at Crystal Palace.
It wasn’t all easy for the League Cup finalists because they had to come from behind to secure all three points at Selhurst Park.
Chelsea started the game with Noni Madueke on the flanks, who produced a strong showing during the FA Cup win at Aston Villa, but Mauricio Pochettino hooked the winger off at half-time for Christopher Nkunku.
Former England striker Michael Owen thinks the Chelsea speedster was largely to blame for Crystal Palace’s opener after his ‘very poor’ decision-making on the ball and how he simply wasn’t strong enough, as he told Premier League Productions (12/02/24 at 8:55 pm).
The £29m signing lost his battle and the ball near the edge of the opposition penalty area, before allowing Jefferson Lerma to win the ball and unleash a stunning opener from distance.
As you can imagine, the Chelsea faithful, after previous abject results and performances, would have been fearing the worst again.
That’s why Noni Madueke was told to have an early shower at half-time because he was changed by the manager.
Noni Madueke’s mistake v Crystal Palace
“If I was Pochettino, then I would be looking at Madueke,” said Owen. “I thought he was really poor from that, not strong enough.
“He should have laid the ball off first time, if you had a lot of confidence, then you would have dropped it off to Caicedo straightaway.
“But he takes a touch, takes a touch, then all of a sudden, Caicedo has to make a different angle and almost come out from a secure position, because if he loses it and Caicedo’s there, then fine because Caicedo can mop it up.
“But because he takes a touch and then another touch, he has to make another angle. It’s a big hole to fill, then what a strike that is. I don’t blame the goalkeeper.”
Conor Gallagher steals the show for Chelsea
One man who showcased his clinical edge on familiar ground was Conor Gallagher, who after scoring in midweek against Aston Villa, was on the scoresheet once again.
This time the Chelsea academy product netted a brace, including a 90th-minute winner, with both of his strikes proving to be outstanding finishes.
All season long, fans have felt that the team have been playing well, but just lacked that cutting edge in the final third.
Well, Gallagher, added with another goal from Enzo Fernandez, proved what that cutting edge can do, in regards to securing a much-needed win for the team.
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