Chelsea stumbles a week after scoring six goals, Isak torments Tottenham

Noni Madueke's performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers earned him a well-deserved starting position for Chelsea against Crystal Palace.

The former PSV player, known for his speed and technical ability, was deployed again as a right winger, forming a crucial part of Chelsea's attack. His partnership with Cole Palmer has quickly become one of the most exciting aspects of Chelsea’s play. Palmer, a young and creative playmaker, has shown a keen understanding with Madueke, providing the assists that allowed Madueke to score a hat-trick in the previous game against Wolves.

Against Crystal Palace, Palmer continued to shine in his role as the team’s main playmaker. In the 25th minute, he demonstrated his vision and passing ability by threading a precise ball to Nicolas Jackson, who made a well-timed run into the box. Jackson’s composed finish past Dean Henderson gave Chelsea the lead and showcased the budding chemistry within the squad. This goal was a testament to Palmer's growing influence on the team and his ability to create opportunities from seemingly difficult situations.

Crystal Palace, however, was not willing to go down without a fight. Under the management of Oliver Glasner, The Eagles have developed a reputation for resilience and tactical discipline. Despite their recent struggles, losing the previous two matches, Palace showed a strong resolve in the London derby. Their defense, which had been one of the strongest in the league towards the end of last season, managed to hold firm for much of the first half despite Chelsea’s early dominance.

The turning point for Palace came in the 54th minute when Eberechi Eze, one of the most promising talents in the league, found his moment of brilliance. Eze had been struggling to convert his chances in the early games of the season, often finding himself unlucky in front of goal. However, his persistence paid off when he gained possession just outside the Chelsea penalty area, made a quick turn to create space, and curled a beautiful shot past Robert Sánchez into the net. This equalizer not only boosted Palace’s morale but also highlighted Eze’s technical prowess and ability to change the course of a game single-handedly.

Chelsea responded by bringing on high-profile substitutes like João Félix and Mykhailo Mudryk, both of whom were brought in to add fresh attacking impetus and push for a winning goal. Despite their efforts, Palace’s defense held strong, and Chelsea’s attempts to reclaim the lead were ultimately unsuccessful. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that reflected Palace’s determination and Chelsea’s inability to capitalize on their early advantage.

Meanwhile, in Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur faced a challenging game without key players Micky van de Ven, who was sidelined due to injury, and Dominic Solanke, who was not yet fit to play. Despite these setbacks, Spurs started the match brightly and dominated possession in the opening half-hour. They created several opportunities but failed to convert, which left them vulnerable to Newcastle's counterattacks.

Newcastle, initially struggling to make an impact in the attacking third, found their breakthrough in the 37th minute. A low cross from left-back Lloyd Kelly was met by Harvey Barnes, who managed to direct the ball expertly with his right foot into the far corner of the net, giving Newcastle a 1-0 lead. This goal was somewhat against the run of play but demonstrated Newcastle’s ability to capitalize on their limited chances.

In response, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou recognized the need for a more offensive approach and made a strategic halftime substitution, bringing on Brennan Johnson for Pape Matar Sarr. This change added more dynamism to Spurs’ attack, and they began to press Newcastle more intensely. Their pressure soon paid off, albeit with a stroke of luck. In the 60th minute, a shot from James Maddison was poorly handled by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. In the ensuing chaos, Dan Burn, in a moment of panic, attempted to clear the ball as Johnson brought it back into the box but ended up scoring an own goal, leveling the match at 1-1.

As the game approached its final stages, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe brought on Sandro Tonali, who was making his first Premier League appearance in 316 days after serving a suspension for violating betting regulations. The introduction of Tonali added a layer of control and experience to Newcastle’s midfield, which proved crucial in the dying moments of the match.

The decisive moment came from Alexander Isak, who capitalized on a lapse in Spurs' defense. During a moment of complete disorganization among Tottenham’s backline, Jacob Murphy delivered a pass that found Isak in a perfect position to score. The former Willem II loanee made no mistake, slotting the ball past the Tottenham goalkeeper to make it 2-1. This goal secured a valuable victory for Newcastle and added a significant boost to Isak's growing reputation in the league.

Tottenham, now looking ahead to their next match, will be aiming to bounce back when they host Arsenal on September 15. With the potential return of Dominic Solanke and possibly Micky van de Ven, Spurs will hope to regain their form and secure a much-needed win in the North London Derby.