Premier League: Chelsea score two late goals to beat Crystal Palace

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Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking to BBC Sport: “We saw two different sides. In the first half we were so flat and I was so disappointed. In the second half much better and I am very pleased with how we finished the game. We deserved the three points.

“The energy wasn’t the right energy and the intensity we showed was not great. We dominated but we played so slowly and they way we conceded, we cannot allow to give this type of option to the opponent.

“It is a massive win. That is our challenge to be consistent but this type of fixture will help us build our confidence.”

On Conor Gallagher being compared to Frank Lampard: "I think Frank Lampard is a legend and one of the greatest midfielders in the history of football. Conor is still young and still has time to achieve this level but he is doing a fantastic job for us. We are so happy with him."

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson, speaking to Sky Sports: "From the way the fans were it seems they thought the same. Their support was really good. We shot ourselves in the foot to a certain extent. Our lead lasted one minute into the second half. I think we were value for the 1-1. The third goal for them was the match winner.

"I can only hope that the fans are realistic. We have injury problems and we have some young players making debuts and finding their way in the game. I would like to think they take those things into consideration. There are still 14 matches left in the season. I don't know what the attitudes are going to be."

More from Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson speaking to BBC Sport: ”We had our share of chances in the second half and they were not cutting through us. You know with the quality of players they have it is going to be a tough ask defensively but I thought our players stood up and defended as well as they possibly could.

"I feel extremely sorry for them because to go home and sleep on that defeat is going to be very tough for everybody.

"The fans were very good throughout. They must be gutted because like me at 85 minutes I was not thinking we are going to lose this game. I thought we were at least coming away with a point."

Asked if he is confident of keeping Palace in the Premier League Hodgson added: "I am confident we can do that. At the moment we are playing without three or four of our most experienced and quality players and they won't be out until the end of the season.

"I am not concerned we are going to be relegated and the way the players played tonight, if you add the quality to that, I don't think we need to be too concerned about relegation. We are not complacent about it but I believe in the team and players and believe they will pull us through."

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, speaking to Sky Sports: "We were flat in the first 45 minutes, very disappointing. We need to react to the game. We need to avoid that and start a game like this so flat. Maybe there was a foul when we conceded. We started the second half really well and we scored. It was a tough game but I'm so pleased.

"We just want to build our confidence and realise we need to be more consistent. We used two strikers in between the centre back and the full back. We put Gusto and Chilwell higher and moved the ball quicker with Enzo in a number 10 role. It helped us score."

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson speaking to BBC Sport: ”It was extremely cruel but the game is about goals and unfortunately we made mistakes which led to goals and I thought it was harsh because our defending was good.

"We didn’t make that many errors and our goalkeeper was not exactly peppered with shots. The third goal is a nail in the coffin but when you are 2-1 down with a few minutes to go all teams do the same and throw everybody forward hoping a ball will bounce kindly for an equaliser.

"It led to an aggravated defeat but I don’t think that is a fair reflection on the way the game was played. I think we deserved to come off with at least one point."

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Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher has scored more Premier League goals against Crystal Palace (4) than he has against any other side, while he’s also netted more goals at Selhurst Park (6) than he has at any other ground in the competition.

And talk about lightning striking twice...he also scored a vital 90th minute Premier League against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in October 2022.

Asked in his Sky interview about almost running 13km in the match Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, adds: "I always want to run as hard as I can for the team, it didn't feel like I ran that far today because we had a lot of the ball."

On his position: "I've played in a number of positions this season, more so holding midfield. I'm happy to play anywhere for the manager. I'm happy wherever I play. No problem.

"We've got some massive games coming up and we'll keep trying to improve. It's about consistency for us. We've had some games where we've been good and some where we've been terrible."

On Palace's fans: "I do love them, that's the thing but you can't beat that feeling. I'm sorry Palace fans."

Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a tough win. We weren't good enough in the first half and we had to stick together to get the job done. We are buzzing with the three points."

On the half-time team talk: "He [Pochettino] said stay confident and we need to better and quicker on the ball. They played well. We had to stick together as a team and the early goal helped to settle it. We managed to get a couple at the end."

On tactical changes: "The gaffer gave us more structure in their half of the pitch to try and create more chances. It was really good from the manager and helped us play better in the second half. When we scored early we knew we had to go on and win it but it was getting later in the match. My calf started cramping up and then to get that goal. It was an amazing feeling and the lads are buzzing."

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has lost all seven of his Premier League encounters with Mauricio Pochettino, only facing Jurgen Klopp (9) more often in the competition and losing every time.

His team are next in action when they travel to Everton next Monday (20:00 GMT) for a massive match.

Just the small matter of Manchester City away on Saturday for Chelsea (17:30 GMT).

That is likely to provide a more valuable barometer of where they are now at and whether they have turned a corner.

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For all the celebrations in the Chelsea end at full-time their victory tonight only moves them up to the lofty position of 10th, some 13 points off fourth-placed Tottenham.

Plenty of work to do.

As we mentioned earlier in the night, Chelsea have now won their last 13 matches against Crystal Palace.

It is also the first time the Blues have won after trailing at half time in the Premier League since 8 May 2021 against Manchester City (16 games without a win after being behind at half time).

The Chelsea fans are bouncing. Although Enzo Fernandez is having a hard time of it as he tries to give his shirt to a fan.

Several others are keen to secure a prized memento and the Argentine midfielder has to get the assistance of the stewards before he can finally pick out his man.

That looked harder work than Chelsea's third goal.

Back-to-back away wins for Chelsea. Talk about a game of two halves. They couldn't hit a barn door in the first 45 minutes.

Crystal Palace have conceded 16 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half of matches, only Sheffield United (17) have conceded more late goals in the Premier League this season.

The best way to win a football match is to score late goals.

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Four added minutes. Can Palace find an equaliser?