Tactical Analysis – Chelsea 1 Crystal Palace 2

Tactical Analysis – Chelsea 1 Crystal Palace 2

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Jose Mourinho’s 100th home game in charge of Chelsea was spoiled by a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace.

The reigning champions fell further out of touch with the top of the ladder following their second defeat in four games, falling to 13th place on the standings.

A patient display from both teams saw a first-half with plenty of entertaining counter-attacking play but few solid chances created. The visitors should have taken the lead in the 29th minute when Yohan Cabaye was squared up inside the box with plenty of space, yet the Frenchman struck the ball straight at Thibaut Courtois.

Demonstrating the short and fluid passing in the final third that undid so many defences last season, Chelsea had promising moments at times and tested Alex McCarthy, but it appeared as though the previous weeks’ results had dispelled the need for the Eagles to show respect for any reputations.

The deadlock was broken by Bakary Sako’s close range strike in the 65th minute, a penetrating run and pass across the face of goal by Yannick Bolasie to find the Malian striker once again bringing into question the defending of Branislav Ivanovic.

Mourinho’s reaction to going behind was swift, substituting Willian for a second striker in summer arrival Radamel Falcao. The unlikely source delivered his opening goal for the Blues, equalising in the 79th minute after meeting a great cross from Pedro. However, the brief delight of the Stamford Bridge faithful turned to equal disappointment when Joel Ward’s back post header put Palace back ahead moments later.

Despite some immense pressure coming from Chelsea within the last 15 minutes, further early season worries were the only rewards.

Formations

The suspension of John Terry was the only forced change that Mourinho had to make to his starting XI, with Gary Cahill returning to partner Kurt Zouma in the centre of defence. Pedro’s impressive debut last weekend kept the Spaniard his place on the right-wing, moving Willian into the centre of the trio sitting behind Diego Costa. Beginning in the usual 4-2-3-1, after conceding the first goal the Blues moved to more of a 4-4-2 when Falcao was introduced just after the hour mark.

Having rested most of his key players during a 4-1 midweek League Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town, Alan Pardew named an unchanged line-up from the side that defeated Aston Villa 2-1 the previous fixture. Also taking to the pitch in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Cabaye screened the back four with James McArthur and Connor Wickham remained the target man up front.

Chelsea exploited on the right once more

Ivanovic himself may be surprised at how quickly his fortunes have shifted since Chelsea hoisted the Premier League trophy back in May. What were small cracks in the Serbian’s game at the beginning of the season have become glaring shortcomings in a matter of weeks.

In what has probably been the biggest discussion point coming out of the result, the setups for both of Palace’s goals on Saturday night went through Ivanovic’s right side, he was caught-out by an overlapping Pape Souare who found Bolasie in behind to centre for Sako’s opener and was standing aimlessly inside the box while the cross sailed over to the back post which was met by Ward.

Overall, seven of the nine goals Chelsea has let through so far this season have been generated through the right-flank.

Is Ivanovic still feeling the effects of playing nearly every minute of the campaign in the previous season? Or are the 31-year-old’s legs just not up to the rigours of matching it with the speedy wingers of the Premier League anymore? What we know for sure, is that Jose Mourinho cannot afford to give his struggling right-back too many more chances.

Crystal Palace targeted Ivanovic's right-flank with their crosses
Crystal Palace targeted Ivanovic’s right-flank with their crosses

Pardew parks a bus of his own

The frustrations that travelling supporters would experience at Stamford Bridge in 2014-15 were revered on Saturday night, as Crystal Palace’s resolute defensive display quietened a Chelsea strike force that has still shown some relative bite despite the clubs’ other setup issues.

Mourinho’s men were shown just how effective the strategy that arguably won them the title can be every time one of their attacks would fizzle out on the edge of the 18-yard area or a shot that seemed destined to hit the back of the net was blocked by the outstretched leg of a defender. There was some impressive build-up play around the box from Chelsea, but with most of Pardew’s squad sitting inside the box, forwards such as Costa, Pedro and Eden Hazard were largely forced to give up what could have been good opportunities for shots from outside of the box.

The Palace back four of Scott Dann, Damien Delaney, Ward and Souare threw themselves at every challenge for the ball, recording an astonishing 10 blocks and 34 clearances, a large number of which came in the last 15 minutes when the Blues were really pushing for an equaliser.

The latter pair also consistently made their presence known in attack and were involved in both of the side’s goals,

Crystal Palace's 34 clearances
Crystal Palace’s 34 clearances

Chelsea Conclusion

The cloud of doubt grows over West London with each lacklustre result and after spending the entirety of the opening month last season undefeated, 13th spot is not only unwanted, but very unfamiliar territory for the ‘Special One’ and his star-studded squad. An eight point gap was too much for current frontrunners Manchester City to overcome in their attempt to retain the crown, and serious solutions need to come if Chelsea are to have any hope of overcoming this deficit. The international break provides the perfect opportunity for Mourinho to reassess the situation before travelling to Goodison Park.

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Crystal Palace Conclusion

A fantastic showing from his team sees Alan Pardew records his second win over Chelsea in as many seasons and Palace fans must be pinching themselves as they close out the first month of the Premier League season in second place, thanks to a Manchester United slip-up. Exemplifying the new level of competition that is present among the Premier League this campaign, the Eagles have the chance to gain even further on the top of the mountain as they now look forward to their next match against Manchester City.

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