Premier League - Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

The two sides were at the end of differing results the weekend before on Matchday 15. Chelsea fell to a shock 3-2 defeat to Mark Hughes' Stoke City at the Britannia, which was won for the Potters by a spectacular 90th-minute goal from Liverpool loanee Oussama Assaidi. Crystal Palace, conversely, obtained their second win on the spin as they beat fellow promotees Cardiff City 2-0 at Selhurst Park through an unlikely pair of strikes from notoriously goal-allergic Cameron Jerome and Marouane Chamakh.









Palace have experienced something of a mini-revival since appointing former Stoke boss Tony Pulis manager on November 23rd following the departure of Ian Holloway in October. The Eagles, having won 2 matches in 12 since the start of the season, have won that many in just 3 since the Welshman took the helm 2 weeks ago, starting with a 1-0 win over London rivals West Ham mid-week, and followed up with the 2-0 win over Cardiff City on Saturday. Pulis will certainly be hoping he can obtain another positive result against a recently-stuttering Chelsea.










The last time the two sides met was when Palace were last in the Premier League, during José Mourinho's first stint at Chelsea, in 2005. The Blues strolled to a 4-1 win through goals from Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, and a brace from late substitute Mateja Kežman. Mourinho's men eventually went on to win the league that season with a record-breaking points tally of course, while Palace were relegated.









The referee assigned to this match is Mark Clattenburg, whose last match for the home side was the infamous 3-2 defeat by Manchester United in October of 2012, which saw 2 red cards and an offside winner condemn Roberto Di Matteo's men to defeat after having clawed themselves back to 2-2 from 2-0 down, which was followed by a controversial race-row following him and several Chelsea players.

I have my doubts about these 'injuries'...

Fernando Torres v Marouane Chamakh: Head-to-head analysis ahead of Saturday's clash between Chelsea and Crystal Palace:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fernando-torres-v-marouane-chamakh-headtohead-analysis-ahead-of-the-clash-between-chelsea-and-crystal-palace-9003546.html







Christ...

 

Perhaps not the best question to ask after that picture, but... any idea will Torres and/or Hazard start? They're both in my fantasy team. I noticed Hazard started in the CL, I'd make him my captain but maybe Mou will rest him in this "easy" fixture.

Pfffft. Mou drop Hazard? Good one!

CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Speroni, Mariappa, Delaney, Gabbidon, Ward, Jedinak, Dikgacoi, Bannan, Puncheon, Chamakh, Jerome

CHELSEA XI: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Azpilicueta, Essien, Ramires, Willian, Mata, Hazard, Torres

SUBS: Schwarzer, Cole, Lampard, Oscar, Schurrle, Ba, Eto’o

Almost a repeat from last week... awkward back pass..

TORRRRRREEESSSSSSSSS

YEAHHHHHHHH

SUCK SHIT FUKIN 11 men in *bleep*

im so surprised he actually scored that

TORRESS!!!

Late cos I was eating mangoes! Good to be back home

Obligatory equaliser. 1-1. Typical.

Seriously! Defenders are like cones... not moving!

RAMMMIIIII


Brilliant goal.

BEAUTTYYY

This is the only way we will score against a 10 man wall

Our last 8 shot conceded on target have a been a goal

I didnt see it! Damn it!

Luiz is shit

We're going to regret not finishing this lot off while we have the chance. Again.

Mata off for Oscar...