Crystal Palace player ratings after Chelsea defeat – Blunt attack leads to goalscoring problems being highlighted again

A second-half header from Kai Havertz won Graham Potter’s side all three points.

Palace now have not scored in three of their four Premier League matches since the season restarted after the 2022 World Cup break.

Here are Edmund Brack’s player ratings from Stamford Bridge:

VICENTE GUAITA – 8

The 35-year-old recovered well after his mistake against Southampton in the FA Cup last weekend.

Guaita made a good save to deny Kai Havertz on the stroke of half time, throwing his hands up from close range to parry the shot over the crossbar.

His positioning was spot on – thwarting crosses into the box and keeping Palace in the encounter.

Made four save and two punches. Back to his very consistent best.

NATHANIEL CLYNE – 7

Delivered another consistent performance. He didn’t lose possession, despite having the second-most touches [61] of any Palace player.

Made two clearances, won to tackles and blocked three shots.

If Joel Ward is to leave the club at the end of the season, giving Clyne, who has shown he can still cope with the tricky Premier League forwards, another year would be a smart piece of business if he keeps up with this level of performance.

MARC GUEHI – 7

The former Chelse man made five clearances – the most of any Palace player.

JOACHIM ANDERSEN – 6

The Dane was withdrawn in the 38th minute with a calf injury. Won two tackles and made two tackles before needing to be replaced.

Palace will be hoping the former Fulham man is fit for Manchester United on Wednesday and Newcastle on Saturday, as their game is built on his passing range.

TYRICK MITCHELL – 7

First start since returning from his three-game suspension. A very consistent performance from the left-back.

Considering he is completely void of any support down the left-hand side and was forced to deal with Hakim Ziyech and Conor Gallagher gliding down his wing.

Made two really good tackles in the first half and came close with an effort that he placed straight at Kepa.

The 23-year-old won four tackles overall during the 90 minutes.

CHEICK DOUCOURE – 6

Considering he is the only natural midfielder in the Crystal Palace squad, Doucoure was once again asked to do the job of three players at Stamford Bridge.

He made four interceptions – a match-high – won five of his six tackles, and forced a stunning save from Kepa late on as Palace searched for an equaliser.

However, Doucoure was lucky and should have been sent off in the 70th minute for a late challenge on Conor Gallagher. 

The Mali international was also caught out by Kai Havertz for the match-winner, with the German forward escaping his capture and planting a header past Guaita.

JEFFREY SCHLUPP – 6

The Ghanaian blocked two crosses and won two aerial battles. 

Former Leicester man Schlupp was dribbled past twice and only touched the ball 28 times, with only Andersen, who came off in the first half, having fewer touches than the midfielder.

Still looks unnatural in a deeper central role. Palace need reinforcements in that department.

EBERECHI EZE – 5

Replaced in the 69th minute. The former QPR man was ineffective during his time on the west Londoners pitch.

Only touched the ball 28 times, which for a player who wants to create and get on the ball, was poor.

MICHAEL OLISE – 6

Had Palace’s best effort of the first half, collecting the ball outside the area and hitting a half-volley that forced Kepa into a good save.

Faded out of the game during the second half and lost possession three times. Had the most touches, 76, of any Palace player.

Jordan Ayew – 6

Ayew won 100 per cent of his tackles and helped keep Palace’s first clean sheet intact.

But only completed three of his four dribbles, lost possession six times and committed two fouls.

He should be playing through the centre, with his hold-up playing bringing the three creative players around him into play.

Wilfried Zaha – 6 

Showed passion and tried to win Palace the game right at the death, but was suffocated by Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile through the middle.

He lost possession eight times and only completed three of his seven dribbles.

SUBS 

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JAMES TOMKINS – 7

Many had thought the 33-year-old had played his last game for the Eagles after his red card in the 3-0 defeat to Fulham on Boxing Day, but Tomkins delivered an assured performance after his surprise inclusion at Stamford Bridge.

Made four clearances and was only caught out once – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang bursting past and getting a shot off at Guaita.

JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA – 3

Had no impact during his 21 minutes, plus seven minutes of added time, on the pitch.

Only had five touches and only won one aerial duel.

WILL HUGHES – 4

Was unable to pick a pass to unlock the Chelsea defence, but looked lively.

ODSONNE EDOUARD – 4 

Had double the amount of touches as Mateta and looked more likely to get involved with trying to create a goalscoring chance.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD