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Chelsea 1-2 Crystal Palace: Blues stunned at home by Eagles

NBC Sports

Sako scores for second-straight game

Chelsea lose for second time in 100 home games under Mourinho

Falcao scores first Chelsea goal

Ward grabs the winner late on, Palace’s first win at Chelsea since 1982

Chelsea lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, as Jose Mourinho‘s men suffered a shock defeat to their London rivals which leaves them eight points behind title rivals Manchester City.

Bakary Sako put Palace 1-0 up in the second half, then a crazy spell 10 minutes from time first saw Radamel Falcao head home his first Chelsea goal to equalize but seconds later Joel Ward headed home to make it 2-1 to Palace.

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With the win Palace momentarily moved second in the PL standings with nine points from four games, while Chelsea slump to 13th spot and have four points from their opening four games. Another bad day at the office for the defending champions.

Early on Diego Costa got into an argument (shock) with Palace’s defense and the Spanish international was fired up as Chelsea started slowly at the Bridge.

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Palace should have been 1-0 up on the half hour mark as Wilfried Zaha danced around Chelsea’s defense and pulled back to Yohan Cabaye but he hit his shot straight at Thibaut Courtois. Good chance for the Eagles.

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Before half time Chelsea pushed for the opener and, Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic all went close to scoring but Alex McCarthy saved well in goal for Palace.

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In the second half Chelsea looked a little shaky at the back as Zaha was causing Branislav Ivanovic plenty of problems. Bakary Sako drilled a low effort towards goal but Courtois got a hand to it down low and Palace continued to improve as the game closed out. Chelsea looked dangerous in attack and a superb run from Costa set up Pedro but he sent his effort wide, the Sako cleared a Chelsea effort off the line before the game-winning moment arrived.

Souare burst forward from left back and crossed to the back post where Sako scored at the second attempt to make it 1-0 Eagles. Bolasie then had a great chance to make it 2-0 but shinned his effort at the back post as Chelsea were let off the hook.

Falcao headed home Pedro’s cross superbly at the near post to make it 1-1 in the 79th minute but moments later Ward headed home to restore Palace’s lead. 2-1 to the Eagles and that’s how it finished as they made it seven wins from their last nine away games.