Premier League: Chelsea and Nkunku win at the wire against Crystal Palace, City returns to victory

2023-12-28 00:16:25

Much was expected of Christopher Nkunku, starting for the first time in his new Chelsea colors this Wednesday evening against Crystal Palace. After months of patience, the man who had played parts of a match in December finally started at the heart of a Blues attack that he was called upon to lead.

In the end, it was the one who replaced him in the 71st minute, Noni Madueke, who left his mark on the match. The young English winger obtained, after checking the video, then transformed himself a penalty at the very end of the match to give victory to Mauricio Pochettino’s men (2-1), which this victory finally brings back to the first half of the match. painting.

With four Frenchmen at the kick-off (Gusto, Badiashile, Disasi and therefore Nkunku), the Blues had started very strongly and Nkunku, scorer in the previous match, was also at work on Mudryk’s opening score , offered on a platter by Gusto (1-0, 14th). But another Frenchman, Michael Olise, allowed Palace to get back on track before the break (1-1, 45th). Roy Hodgson’s men were not unworthy, only losing thanks to this fact of play at the end of the match, and sinking to 16th place in the standings.

Cytizens are scared

On the other Premier League grounds this day after “Boxing Day” across the Channel, we will especially remember Manchester City, which was making its return to current affairs after its coronation during the Club World Cup. Struggling in the championship, the Cityzens returned to victory against Everton (1-3) but got off to a bad start against poorly ranked Everton, trailing by the score at the break after Harrison’s opening score (1-0). , 29th).

But even without Haaland, still injured, or De Bruyne, Guardiola’s men have talent and resource. Starting with Phil Foden, author of a little gem of a long shot after returning from the locker room to put his teammates back in line (1-1, 53rd). The decision was made thanks to Julian Alvarez, scorer on a penalty (1-2, 64th) and Bernardo Silva, who made the break at the very end of the match on a very big error from Pickford (1-3, 87th). The reigning champions remain fourth in the standings.

Also note Wolverhampton’s very large victory over Brentford (1-4), with a goal from former Ligue 1 resident Mario Lemina (1-0, 13th). Wolves are 11th in the standings, just behind Chelsea, with the same number of points.