In one of the most free-flowing and unpredictable matches of this fractured season, Crystal Palace pushed Chelsea all the way but couldn't pip the Blues in an all-action five-goal thriller at Selhurst Park.
Playing in pale blue pyjamas which looked like old Coventry City shirts that had done too many cycles in a washing machine, the Blues secured a 3-2 victory ahead of this weekend's outing to Sheffield United.
Five minutes in, ex-Chelsea stalwart Gary Cahill pulled up with a hamstring tweak, allowing man-of-the-match Willian to tee up Olivier Giroud for a simple opener.
The Blues were two-up after Christian Pulisic – whose dribbling echoes Charlie Cooke in another era – unleashed a beauty past keeper Vincente Guaita.
That should have been that, but Wilf Zaha's 25-yard scorcher pulled one back for the Eagles before the break.
The fun and games continued in the second half as sub Ruben Loftus-Cheek unselfishly fed fellow sub Tammy Abraham to make it 1-3.
Less than a minute later it was 2-3 with a Christian Benteke goal, an event as rare as a total eclipse.
Yet by the end, the Blues were clinging on as Palace sub Andros Townsend delivered cross after cross into the danger zone.
Frank Lampard was relieved to hear the final whistle, ending a truly entertaining spectacle. Oh, if only all matches could be as enthralling as this!
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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