{"id":22748,"date":"2021-08-14T12:10:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-14T16:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=22748"},"modified":"2021-08-15T11:29:02","modified_gmt":"2021-08-15T15:29:02","slug":"chelsea-ease-to-3-0-win-over-crystal-palace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=22748","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea Ease To 3-0 Win Over Crystal Palace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Chelsea eased to victory over Crystal Palace (PA Wire\/PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea capped a perfect week which included the club-record capture of Romelu Lukaku by beginning the new Premier League season with a thumping 3-0 win over Patrick Vieira\u2019s Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three days after lifting the European Super Cup and less than 48 hours since announcing the \u00a397.5million return of striker Lukaku, the dominant hosts cruised to victory courtesy of goals from Marcos Alonso, Christian Pulisic and top-flight debutant Trevoh Chalobah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Palace boss Vieira \u2013 stepping into shoes vacated by Roy Hodgson \u2013 endured an afternoon to forget and was left with plenty to ponder after his outclassed side never threatened an opening-day upset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea were back in competitive action on home soil for the first time since Champions League glory in May, with Thomas Tuchel given a first taste as Blues boss of packed stands inside Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without midweek injury casualties N\u2019Golo Kante and Hakim Ziyech, the German coach opted for five changes to the starting XI which began Wednesday\u2019s penalty shoot-out win over Villarreal, bringing back Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Mason Mount and Pulisic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, following a summer of upheaval at Selhurst Park, a new era for the Eagles had an extremely familiar feel, with ex-Chelsea player Marc Guehi their only starting debutant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The full return of fans and the high-profile purchase of former Inter Milan man Lukaku \u2013 who was unavailable due to quarantine rules \u2013 combined to generate great optimism in west London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chants of \u2018Champions of Europe\u2019 had begun well before kick-off and the hosts quickly gained control of proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Against unambitious opposition seeking to soak up pressure up and spring counter attacks, Pulisic, Mateo Kovacic and Mount each threatened with half-chances before the deserved breakthrough came with 27 minutes on the clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

England midfielder Mount was fouled on the edge of the Eagles\u2019 18-yard box, allowing set-piece specialist Alonso to expertly curl home beyond static Eagles goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palace were in desperate need of a spark but Vieira\u2019s touchline demeanor \u2013 hands on his hips and occasionally scratching his head \u2013 hardly looked likely to inspire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Frenchman\u2019s half-time team talk became that little bit harder with just under five minutes to go to the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A neat one-two between Mount and Azpilicueta on the right unlocked the Palace defense and, after Guaita failed to gather the subsequent loss cross, United States international Pulisic was on hand to scruffily convert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spanish stopper Guaita was forced to smartly save from a thunderous Alonso volley just after the restart, before Palace finally threatened when Antonio Rudiger\u2019s late block denied Wilfried Zaha a free shot at goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any hopes of an unlikely comeback were swiftly extinguished as Chalobah raised the roof with a stunning strike from distance in the 58th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 22-year-old \u2013 loaned out to Ipswich, Huddersfield and French club Lorient in recent times \u2013 was given time and space deep inside Palace territory and duly advanced to unleash a low, arrow-like drive which found the net via the left post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahead of the game, Tuchel laughed off suggestions his side were title favorites following the capture of Lukaku.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet he could have few complaints about how the quest to bridge a 19-point gap to champions Manchester City began, with a goal for Timo Werner \u2013 who squandered two decent openings \u2013 the only thing missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palace\u2019s sole attempt on target of a dismal display was a tame Jordan Ayew header and Vieira will be eager for significant improvement during next weekend\u2019s home clash with newly-promoted Brentford.<\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>