Three of the Best: Chelsea

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12 Jan 2023

While Chelsea have admittedly had the better of recent matches against Palace, the Eagles have enjoyed some memorable moments of their own facing their London rivals.

Back-to-back Premier League wins in 2017 were both days to savour, while 2014 and 2015 victories against the Blues ended up proving particularly crucial to Palace’s fortunes those campaigns.

Ahead of Sunday’s trip to Stamford Bridge, join us on a journey through the Premier League archives, as we look back at ‘three of the best’ against Chelsea.

1. Crystal Palace 1-0 Chelsea

Saturday, 29th March 2014

In the end, a narrow margin earned Palace victory over Chelsea to boost survival hopes in 2013/14 – but the game could, and maybe should, have been won by more.

John Terry’s second-half own-goal from Joel Ward’s teasing cross ultimately settled the contest, but it was a high-tempo Palace side – roared on by a vocal home faithful – who enjoyed further chances to extend their lead.

Yannick Bolasie shot wide, Cameron Jerome struck the post and Joe Ledley dragged a presentable opportunity wide late on.

At the other end, Palace’s defensive resilience shone through, as title-chasing Chelsea were limited to half-chances at best, although Julián Speroni did have to be on his toes to deny Frank Lampard’s strike.

The fact that the win not only pushed Palace up one place in the table, but damaged their London rivals’ title hopes in the process, only made the final score all the sweeter.

Palace: Speroni (GK), Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward, Puncheon (Parr, 90+1), Jedinak, Dikgacoi, Ledley, Bolasie (O'Keefe, 70), Jerome (Murray, 88)

Subs: Hennessey (GK), McCarthy, Ince, Bannan

2. Chelsea 1-2 Crystal Palace

Saturday, 29th August 2015

Palace always know the perfect moment to spring a surprise, their first win at Stamford Bridge since 1982 ensuring that Jose Mourinho’s 100th home league game in charge of Chelsea did not go according to plan.

It was a classic Palace performance at Stamford Bridge that day, full of pace, power and, when it mattered, panache in front of goal.

Chelsea 1-2 Crystal Palace (Saturday, 29th August 2015)

Despite the hosts having the majority of possession, and Palace shot-stopper Alex McCarthy having a busy afternoon, it was the Eagles who took the lead midway through the second-half when Bakary Sako turned home Bolasie’s cut back.

Chelsea did rally and equalised with just over ten minutes left on the clock, Radamel Falcao heading the hosts level from Pedro’s cross.

But it was to be Palace’s day, and that of current vice-captain Joel Ward in particular, the defender stretching every neck muscle to head home Sako’s cross just two minutes later.

A fine result befitting of a strong performance: Crystal Palace were full value for their three points.

Palace: McCarthy (GK), Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souaré, McArthur, Cabaye (Ledley, 82), Puncheon, Sako (Lee, 84), Zaha (Bolasie, 55), Wickham

Subs: Hennessey (GK), Mariappa, Mutch, Gayle

3. Chelsea 1-2 Crystal Palace

Saturday, 1st April 2017

Whatever happens, matches involving Chelsea and Palace rarely make for dull affairs.

And the pace was set early on during this memorable win at Stamford Bridge on April’s Fool Day 2017, with the Eagles having the last laugh.

Despite Chelsea going into the game on a ten-match home winning streak, Palace spoiled their streak with a 2-1 win – a second successive victory in west London – in which all the goals arrived in the opening 11 minutes.

Chelsea 1-2 Crystal Palace (1st April 2017)

The hosts opened the scoring when Cesc Fabregas converted Eden Hazard’s cross after four minutes, but it wasn’t too long before Palace made their quality show.

Wilfried Zaha’s outstanding turn and finish drew them level, before Christian Benteke sent Chelsea defenders and goalkeeper alike tumbling to the turf with a delightful dinked effort just 91 seconds later.

While the defence in front of him also held firm, Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey enjoyed an outstanding game, making 11 saves as his side clinched a fourth successive top-flight victory.

Palace would go on to make it back-to-back victories against Chelsea with a 2-1 win at Selhurst the following October, courtesy of an own-goal from César Azpilicueta and a cute finish from Zaha.

Palace: Hennessey (GK), Ward, Tomkins (Dann, 45 (Delaney, 60)), Sakho, Schupp, Milivojevic, Cabaye, Zaha, Puncheon, Townsend (Kelly, 60), Benteke

Subs: Speroni (GK), Ledley, Kaikai, Sako

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