Following Saturday’s clash between Chelsea and Crystal Palace, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
Chelsea hosted Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Saturday March 10, with the hosts taking a two one victory on the day.
Willian opened the scoring 25 minutes in and six minutes later Chelsea had doubled their advantage as Martin Kelly took credit for an unlucky own goal – he cleared off the line but saw the ball hit goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey before striking him and settling in the net.
An admitted poor first half from Palace was rectified after the break and they found the net in the final minute through Patrick van Aanholt but they had given themselves too much to do.
The points see Chelsea remain fifth, four points behind Liverpool in fourth spot and Palace are a point from safety in 18th position.
Teams:
Chelsea:
Courtois, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, Zappacosta, Fabregas (Pedro 88), Kante, Alonso, Willian, E Hazard (Bakayoko 88), Giroud (Morata 72).
Substitutes:
Caballero, Moses, Emerson, Ampadu.
Crystal Palace:
Hennessey, Wan-Bissaka, Kelly, Tomkins, van Aanholt, Townsend (Lee Chung-yong 81), Milivojevic, McArthur, Schlupp (Riedewald 75), Sorloth, Benteke (Zaha 45).
Substitutes:
Sakho, Cavalieri, Souare, Fosu-Mensah.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee Anthony Taylor blew the final whistle, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte explained.
‘We created a lot of chances to score a lot of goals today. We conceded 2-1 at the end and there’s a bit of pressure, but did well to keep the ball high up the pitch way from our box. We deserved to win. We played a good game, especially in the first half, against a good Crystal Palace. They are a good team fighting a lot to avoid relegation.’
Adding.
‘We tried to finish the game, but I think their goalkeeper made good saves and we hit the post. For sure, when you have so many chances it is important to be clinical – but we must be pleased with the performance of the team and prepare for Barcelona.’
Palace manager Roy Hodgson in his comparative interview explained.
‘I was very disappointed in the first half. It wasn’t the football I know we can play. We were not aggressive enough, we gave them too much space and they scored two goals. The second half was better, much more like performances I’ve been seeing and we can count ourselves a little unlucky. We had a goal chalked off from Sorloth – on another day maybe that isn’t. We were taking the game to Chelsea late on and asking questions of them to the point that they had to waste a bit of time at the end.’
He added.
‘The quality of their passing was fantastic, particularly from Fabregas. It’s that quality they’re capable of showing that gave them a 2-0 lead. If we try to attack and open ourselves up we’re in danger on the counter from players like Hazard and Willian, who are very quick. I’m more satisfied with the second-half performance.’
