[Player Ratings] Crystal Palace 1-0 Chelsea: Poor Blues Slump To Shock Defeat

Chelsea’s title hopes took a setback at Selhurst Park as a John Terry own-goal was enough to condemn the visitors to defeat.

Crystal Palace impressed throughout and the win gave their bid to avoid relegation a major boost as they went five points clear of the drop-zone. Terry was under pressure from Joel Ward’s corner and accidentally diverted it into his own net, proving enough to separate the sides.

Jose Mourinho will be bitterly disappointed his side could not keep their title rivals at arms length, with Liverpool- just one point behind the Blues in second- entertaining Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.

City passed up the chance to go first as they drew 1-1 against Arsenal, although the Blues of Manchester have two games in hand on Chelsea and one on Liverpool.

Player Ratings

Cech 5- could the stopper have done better to try and stop Terry’s own-goal?

Azpilicueta- 6- had a decent game and did well to get in behind Palace early on, but his pull-back was cleared before Andre Schurrle could reach it.

Terry- 5- didn’t have a particularly bad game and was unfortunate for the own-goal. But there did seem to be lacking his usual lion-hearted leadership.

Cahill- 6- had a solid game and looked after the tireless Cameron Jerome, although lucky not to concede what looked like a blatant penalty on Yannick Bolasie.

Ivanovic- 5- was really up against it facing Bolasie on that right side. Not his usual self.

Luiz- 4- probably Chelsea’s worst performer before going off injured at half-time. He was too slack in possession and didn’t work hard enough.

Matic- 6- one of Chelsea’s better performers on the day. Willing to dig in and get his hands dirty but maybe could have helped drive the team on when they needed a goal.

Hazard- 7- for what it’s worth, Chelsea’s Man of the Match. The only player in a white shirt that looked capable of scoring. Forced keeper Speroni into a fabulous match winning save.

Lampard- 6- a decent showing before coming off. So often Chelsea’s saviour in difficulties like this, the England man just couldn’t find the opportunity to get a clear sight of goal.

Schurrle- 5- worked hard throughout but there was a lack of invention from him on the right side.

Torres- 6- didn’t do too badly but wasted a glorious chance to score near the end, lobbing over.

Subs

Oscar- 6- came on for Luiz and was lively but couldn’t quite do enough to save a point.

Salah- 5- introduced with more than half an hour to go but made little impact.

Ba- 5- replaced Schurrle with 20 minutes to go but could not find a footing in the game. Ineffectual.

What went wrong at Selhurst Park?…Who wasn’t pulling their weight?…Who was the only player earning their wage packet?…In the most exciting Premier League since it’s inception, there will be plenty of twists and turns before the final game…do you see it going down to the wire?…Can Chelsea still win it, even though it’s no longer in their hands?…please leave your comments below…