An 89th-minute penalty from substitute Noni Madueke earned Chelsea a laboured 2-1 home victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League London derby on Wednesday.
Madueke was brought down by Eberechi Eze who caught the Chelsea midfielder’s trailing leg and, after initially waving play on, referee Michael Salisbury was called by VAR to the screen where he signalled a foul.
Palace’s Michael Olise had shown fine skill when unmarked at the far post he chested down Jordan Ayew’s pass and finished deftly past Djordje Petrovic in first-half stoppage time.
The Stamford Bridge sound system blared the old disco hit “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” after Chelsea’s hard-fought 2-1 win against Crystal Palace, but momentum is still sorely lacking for Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise had punished Chelsea at the end of the first half when he took advantage of lax marking to equalise, cancelling out winger Mykhailo Mudryk's simple finish from a cross by defender Malo Gusto in the 13th minute.
The win was the third in a row at home in the Premier League for Chelsea after victories over Sheffield United and Brighton & Hove Albion, ending a long run of poor home form that stretched back into last season.
But those victories have contrasted with away defeats at Newcastle United, Manchester United, Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, leaving Chelsea firmly stuck in mid-table. At this stage last season, when Graham Potter was in charge, they sat in the same 10th spot, a far cry from the form that saw them crowned champions of Europe in 2021.
Pochettino said he expected more from his expensively assembled side which featured France striker Christopher Nkunku making his first start and Romeo Lavia who came off the bench for his debut.
"The Premier League is really tough and we need to be consistent," the Argentine told the BBC.
Pochettino praised Madueke for overcoming his disappointment at not featuring much for Chelsea to come off the bench and play a decisive role in the win.
Palace manager Roy Hodgson acknowledged his team's position - just three points off the relegation area - posed a risk but he took comfort from the performances of his players even if they are now without a win in eight league matches.