Blues £32m star creates more chances than Palace as Chelsea go second in PL

Fernando Torres and Ramires score the goals for Jose Mourinho’s men as they won a hard fought game with strugglers Crystal Palace.

Torres opened the scoring with a poacher’s effort after 16 minutes before a spirited Palace equalised through the rejuvenated Marounae Chamakh. Ramires then restored the home side’s lead ten minutes before half time.

The result sees Chelsea move into second, two points behind the leaders Arsenal, despite a less than perfect performance while Tony Pulis’s men are still in the bottom three.

Chelsea were on top in every aspect of the game, although the way Palace played you would not necessarily think that.

The Blue’s had 68% of the possession while winning an exceptional 96% of their tackles. Palace won just 70%. Chelsea’s passing was also superior with 87% of passes successful.

This all resulted Chelsea having more chances on goal. Seven on target, six off target and three blocked compared to a total of 10 shots from the Eagles.

This dominance is ultimately what gave them the victory today, with the home side better in every aspect of the game.

Man of the Match:

Brazil international Willian was the star of the show today, putting in a shift that saw him earn a Squawka Performance Score of 66, 23 points higher than second placed Ramires.

He gave what was almost the perfect winger’s performance in the encounter, with 91% of passes completed, two of three crosses finding a team mate and beating his man in his only attempted take on. Willian was also a threat in front of goal with three shots, two of which forced a save.

Defensively he was sound too, winning five tackles and making three interceptions.

Performance Score:

The graph shows Chelsea’s dominance but perhaps gives the false impression that Crystal Palace were never in the game.

Chelsea always had the better Performance Score in this game and only got better as the match went on while Palace more or less stayed at the same level, peaking at full time with 56 but at their worst after 20 minutes with -32.

In truth Palace were in the game, however the Performance Score graph does not really reflect it. Chelsea were always on top but Tony Pulis’ side gave them something to worry about all match.

Key Observations:

Mourinho has been critical of his strikers this week and rightly so, however today his problem may well have lied at the back. John Terry did not contest a single tackle today and only challenged for two headers, winning one. He was also at least partly culpable for the Palace goal. Elsewhere in attack, Eden Hazard put in a solid performance, creating more chances than the entire Palace team.

Crystal Palace have a striker in good form in Chamakh, which is not a phrase you would have read at the start of the season.

His recent form has been impressive and prolific. Against Chelsea he did well scoring with his only shot and completing 82% of passes with one of those being key. If he can keep this kind of form up he will give Palace a real chance of staying in the top flight.