What Enzo Maresca acquired proper and mistaken as Chelsea blow lead versus Crystal Palace
Chelsea weren’t able to hold onto their lead against Crystal Palace as the Eagle’s equalised with eight minutes remaining as the game ended 1-1.
Chelsea’s opening goal was finished by their star-man Cole Palmer. It was Jadon Sancho who did the hard work, running down the wing towards the Palace box where his pass to Palmer slipped past three Eagle’s defenders. It was then a simple finish for the Blue’s No.20.
Eberechi Eze missed a sitter early in the first half. A pulled-back ball into the box fell right into the England internationals feet where he drifted it wide. Eze eventually did create a goal as he assisted Jean-Phillippe Mateta to equalise with less than 10 minutes to go.
Despite Chelsea’s hard work all game, it was undone in the final stretch. With their title challenge beginning to fade, The Daily Star took a look at what Enzo Maresca got right and wrong against Palace.
Built around star Cole Palmer
(Image: Getty Images)
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When you take a look at the Chelsea formation, you can see an almost perfect star surrounding the Blue’s main man Cole Palmer. Although the drawing of a star may not be intentional, having Palmer in the centre of the attack is.
The 22-year-old is a genius on the ball. Being in the middle of the action allows Palmer to pick his path, whether that’s left towards Sancho or he plays direct ahead to Nicolas Jackson.
It shows the faith that Maresca has in young Palmer to control the forward play.
Filled Sancho with confidence
(Image: PA)
Manchester United fans would have been fuming watching Sancho today. The winger was dancing around Palace players and looked fuelled with confidence – something he lacked at Old Trafford.
The England international recently told the Chelsea website that ‘It’s always nice to feel supported.’ Although many football fans saw this as a sly dig to Erik ten Hag, it is simply the truth.
It isn’t true that Maresca has taught Sancho these tricks, he’s just found the key to unlock them. The 24-year-old’s dummy turn that led to him assisting Chelsea’s opening goal was simply fantastic.
Handed Josh Acheampong debut
(Image: Getty Images)
One of the best things you can say about an 18-year-old making his Premier League debut is that he didn’t look like an 18-year-old making his Premier League debut.
Acheampong did not just seem confident going into duels and jumping for the ball, but he also looked up for launching passes forward and trying to find space.
There was no real need for Maresca to give the 18-year-old his first start, but it goes to show the confidence that the Italian manager has in his squad.
Playing Pedro Neto sent a message
(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Although starting Pedro Neto wasn’t a shock or surprise to anyone, it showed the kind of ethic Maresca is trying to set at Chelsea.
The Portuguese winger played poorly in the Blue’s defeat to Fulham on Boxing Day. He was then dropped in their next game against Ipswich. After the loss at Portman Road, he returned to the starting lineup to face Palace.
This isn’t Maresca being indecisive, this is the Italian telling his team that he has no patience for poor performances. If you want to be a consistent starter, you’ve got to prove you are one.
Couldn’t find the crucial second goal
(Image: Getty Images)
Although Chelsea took an early lead, it never looked fully comfortable. All they needed was that second goal to have the game fully in their hands.
With eight minutes left, the game fell at Maresca’s feet. After back-to-back defeats, this victory was exactly what they needed. And after all their hard work and efforts in the game, it was worth only one point.
Against Everton all they needed was a goal; it was the same against Fulham. As good as their attack can be, they need to fight harder for that second to properly secure a victory.
