Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea: Mateta equaliser means more frustration for Maresca

Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised eight minutes from time to secure Crystal Palace a point in an entertaining 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Enzo Maresca’s side will rue plenty of missed chances to win the game, with Nicolas Jackson and full Premier League debutant Josh Acheampong guilty of misses.

Cole Palmer had given the visitors the lead, converting after nice approach play from Jadon Sancho after 14 minutes.

That, though, was Chelsea’s only shot on target of the game, and Palace drew level late on.

Mateta had been Palace’s chief threat throughout and he converted from Eberechi Eze’s square pass.

The draw moves Palace six points clear of the bottom three in 15th, while Chelsea stay fourth, and their title hopes are fast fading away.

Jadon Sancho has four assists in the Premier League this season following his brilliant run and pass for Cole Palmer’s opener today.

That’s already more than he ever managed in a single PL campaign for Manchester United. pic.twitter.com/AeByRc0ntn

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) January 4, 2025

Data debrief: Sancho showing his best

Though Chelsea were guilty of missed opportunities, Sancho produced another impressive moment in the latest sign that he is rediscovering his best form.

The winger registered his fourth assist for the season when he brought down a cross-field pass and slipped the ball through for Palmer to finish in the first half. It is more assists than he managed in a single campaign for Manchester United.

He also ranked joint-top of all Chelsea players for pass accuracy percentage in the final third, while only Palmer (five) created more chances than Sancho’s two.

This may not be a title-winning campaign for the Blues, but getting Sancho firing would be a win of sorts.