Chelsea's 2024-2025 Premier League season started with high hopes but quickly turned frustrating as the team was held to a 1-1 draw against local rivals Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on January 4.
After ending the previous year on two disappointing defeats, the Blues were eager to regain their footing. Chelsea had previously shown promise with eight consecutive wins following the November international break. Yet, as the festive season progressed, their form dropped markedly, culminating in three winless matches prior to facing Palace, which saw them slip to fourth place, ten points behind league leaders Liverpool.
The match against Ipswich Town was particularly disheartening for Chelsea fans. Following a dominant performance where they controlled possession and outshot their opponents, the Blues fell 0-2—an outcome criticized by supporters and analysts alike. The missed opportunities became pivotal as Chelsea struggled offensively, failing to score across three consecutive matches for the first time since 2019.
Returning to their rivalry with Crystal Palace, Chelsea historically dominated this matchup, winning 12 of their last 15 trips to Selhurst Park. The last league encounter had ended with both sides sharing the points, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Despite their defeat to Ipswich, Chelsea was expected to restore their main players to the starting lineup, following what many considered experimental tactics against Ipswich.
Head coach Enzo Maresca prepared his side for the challenge, recalling Robert Sanchez to goal after Filip Jorgensen's poor outing. The lineup also included the returning Nicholas Jackson and Pedro Neto. The club hoped the return of captain Reece James might bolster their defensive line, though injuries persisted for Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
On the other side of the pitch, Crystal Palace was buoyed by improved performances, losing only twice over their last 11 matches. Current manager Oliver Glasner noted the team’s resilience and indicated confidence against Chelsea, pointing out they had proven difficult to beat recently.
Palace, sitting just above the relegation zone at 15th place, relied on key performances from players like Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who netted the equalizer against Chelsea. The fixture saw Palace welcome back their captain Marc Guehi from suspension, which was seen as stabilizing for the defense as they aimed to exploit Chelsea’s alarming trend of poor away form.
Throughout the match, Chelsea began confidently, with Cole Palmer netting early due to great buildup play by Jadon Sancho. His goal seemed to set the tone, yet several missed chances by Jackson and Acheampong would haunt the visitors as the game progressed.
Palace grew stronger as the match unfolded. With ten minutes left, Chelsea's defensive frailty became evident when Palmer lost possession, enabling Eze to facilitate Mateta’s goal. Mateta rolled the ball across the line, stunning the Chelsea supporters and sending the host fans jubilantly roaring.
Neither side could find the net again, leading to another frustrating result for Chelsea, who now extended their winless run to four matches. Both managers expressed feelings of mixed emotions, with Glasner satisfied with the point but noting the camaraderie and confidence his squad was displaying.
Adding to Chelsea's woes, they faced scrutiny off the pitch as the FA charged them with failing to prevent improper conduct by their players during their defeat to Ipswich. After multiple dissenting voices surrounded the referee over the controversial penalty awarded to Ipswich, the Blues were left scrambling for stability amid this complex situation.
Despite facing significant injuries, Maresca hinted at the potential for players’ returns from injury and the likelihood of recalling some loan players to address the squad's depth issues, particularly at the back as they confronted this challenging stretch of the season.
Overall, Chelsea's start to the season reveals the struggles they face both on and off the field, as fans and management alike brace for what lies ahead. With the fixture against Palace demonstrating both the talent and issues within the squad, the question remains whether they can rectify their path and climb back to title contention.