Pulisic stars again as Chelsea edge out Crystal Palace in five-goal thriller

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:15 am

Chelsea held on for a 3-2 win at Crystal Palace to claim three crucial points in the race for a place in next season's Champions League.

The victory, set up by goals from Olivier Giroud, Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham, moved Frank Lampard's side five points in front of fifth-placed Manchester United -- for 48 hours at least.

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Chelsea took the lead just six minutes into the game -- but there was a huge slice of fortune. Willian broke towards the box and was tracked by former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill, who suddenly slumped to the ground with an injury. That left Willian free to move into the area and pull the perfect ball back fro Giroud, who guided the ball home.

The visitors doubled their advantage just before the half-hour, Willian again the creator to set up Pulisic, who showed neat footwork before powering a shot past Vicente Guaita.

Chelsea looked to be cruising, and then out of nothing Wilfried Zaha powered Palace back into the game. Zaha picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and unleashed a curling drive that left Kepa Arrizabalaga clutching at fresh air.

Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring Chelsea's second goal.
Getty

Giroud should have scored his second shortly after the break, rising unmarked to meet a fine cross from Reece James but putting it just over. The France international was furious with himself.

Palace were having the better of the second half, but the sucker punch arrived in the 71st minute when two substitutes combined as Ruben Loftus-Cheek fed the unmarked Tammy Abraham to side-foot into the opposite corner.

One minute later, and Palace were back in it again. Patrick van Aanholt found space in the area and squared the ball for Christian Benteke to tap into an empty net.

Mason Mount went close to making the game safe, but once again Chelsea's suspect defending was their Achilles heel -- and Palace thought they had equalised in the fifth minute of added time when Scott Dann's header came back off the post and was cleared to safety.