Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea: The one with two new Chelsea goalscorers

The last time Chelsea had a Premier League match, there was a difference monarch, different prime minister and different man in the dugout. It was difficult to know what to expect from Graham Potter but narrative was always going to be on the cards - having previously managed Crystal Palace's 'fierce rivals', Brighton. 

Thomas Tuchel drops hint over Conor Gallagher's future at Stamford Bridge

Gallagher celebrates after scoring vs West Ham

Conor Gallagher may have caught the eye on loan at West Brom last season. But it's this campaign under Patrick Vieira at Crystal Palace he's become a man in demand. 

Including an absolute worldie against Everton, the loan star has already scored six goals and registered three assists this season. Just one Chelsea player has been involved in more Premier League goals - and it's not any of the strikers. 

The midfielder's performances at Selhurst Park have been so good that Thomas Tuchel has been asked throughout the season if he would cut the loan deal short to bring him back to Chelsea in January.

Chelsea 3-0 Crystal Palace: The one with a dream Premier League debut

Things you love to see

The first match of the season is always a special one. Seeing familiar faces. Catching up after a summer off. But with the pandemic shutting out fans since March of last year - the day started with an even bigger buzz than normal. At least for the fans who still had their seats. With those in charge failing to take care of the match-going fans, nearly one thousand Chelsea supporters found themselves without a seat on opening day - with less than 24 hours notice.

Chelsea 4-0 Crystal Palace: The one Tammy Abraham was not allowed to take a penalty

October 3rd. This was the weekend marked for fans to return to football grounds up and down the country. While it would have been strange with the social distancing protocols in place, it still would have been brilliant to see familiar faces in the stands once again. Hopefully we won't have to wait much longer because, as ever, football without fans is nothing.

Frank Lampard rang in the changes against high flying Eagles on Saturday lunch time. Mason Mount was taken out of the spotlight, no doubt to the excitement of social media trolls. Callum Hudson-Odoi handed a chance to impress while heavily linked to a Bayern move once again. And Christian Pulisic finally returned to the squad. But would just make a cameo on the day. Captain America will be eased back in to not damage those precious ligaments.

Crystal Palace 2-3 Chelsea: The one that saw Jorginho return

Nobody does it better

 Who remembers when Crystal Palace lost seven games to start the season without scoring a goal - and then beat Cheslea. The last five minutes at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night brought back all those feels in the very worst ways. Going 3-1 up against a team that has scored the second fewest goals in the league should have felt a lot more relaxed.

But then it wouldn't be Chelsea if it were easy.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: The One that was an April Fool

Looking back on those opening 4 mins like...

It goes without saying - but I’ll say it anyways - Saturday didn’t exactly go to plan for Chelsea. But a little perspective might need injected here. Chelsea losing on the same weekend second place Tottenham win is far from ideal in the title race. However, the weekend’s results that left Twitter in a little mini-meltdown see Chelsea still sit seven points clear at the top of the league in April.

Preview: Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

Number 50 on the way?

Before we get in to the nitty gritty of the weekend we should all take a moment for a resounding pat on the back. We've made it through the final international break of the season - relatively unscathed. From this point forward it's all club football, all the time. And Chelsea have it all to play for. And by all I mean the league and FA Cup. The 2017 Champions League is overrated ... *

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: The One with All the Balls

Towards the end of last season, Chelsea had become accustomed to dropping points in matches that they were expected to win. After the defeat at Selhurst Park in March, Jose Mourinho noted on a journalist's pad what Chelsea were missing most were "balls". Seven months on and they headed into Saturday's derby without their striker and his dodgy hamstring -- but did anyone really notice?

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: Tony Pulis’ Lucky Number 13

"You know what happens when ballboys waste time vs Chelsea"

From the outside, things looked brilliant for Chelsea going into Saturday’s game with Palace. Not only had they just humiliated Arsenal a week before, but Tony Pulis had never managed a win over a Chelsea side - losing on 10 of those occasions. TEN. But for those who know Chelsea a little better than the casual outside, they’ll have had some trepidation. They’ll know Chelsea will make things as hard for themselves as possible - easily beating title contenders and struggling against anyone that looks set for a stint in the Championship.