Mauricio Pochettino said he is pleased to see Chelsea start to build some form at home after Wednesday night's narrow 2-1 win over Crystal Palace earned a third straight Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge.
Following what Pochettino described as a "nervous" start, Chelsea soon took control of the game and went ahead through Mykhailo Mudryk, the Ukrainian winger expertly set up by French full-back Malo Gusto, who impressed throughout.
The Blues looked in total control for much of the remainder of the first half but once again, familiar problems at either end of the pitch proved costly. Several chances to extend their lead were squandered before a defensive lapse left Michel Olisie unmarked at the back post as the French forward finished superbly to level moments before the break.
The equalising goal shifted the dynamic for the second half as Chelsea struggled to maintain their dominance, despite controlling possession, while Palace provided plenty of threat on the counter-attack.
Still, the hosts had two excellent chances to retake the lead, both through striker Nicolas Jackson. The Senegalese first missed a simple chance when his clipped effort sailed wide of the post; he thought he made amends with a first-time finish from Thiago Silva's deep cross but was marginally offside.
Another frustrating performance and result looked in store for Chelsea, until substitute Noni Madueke turned the game in their favour in the final few minutes when the English winger was fouled just inside the Palace penalty area by Eberechi Eze. After a VAR check, the penalty was awarded and Madueke stepped up to calmly slot past Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
"I said it was Conor [Gallagher's penalty], but I said to Conor if Noni was more confident you can give him the penalty," Chelsea manager Pochettino said. "You have to be confident in that moment.
"I am so happy because a player who comes from the bench needs to show this character and this hunger. He showed he was ready to take the opportunity."
Madueke, a January signing from PSV Eindhoven, had impressed during his first half-season with Chelsea but injury and the arrival of Cole Palmer have limited his chances so far this season. However, he impressed during his 20-plus minutes from the bench on Wednesday and his manager was delighted with his contribution.
"He played free. He did what we needed in this moment," Pochettino said. "I liked it because he showed he was disappointed with me because he didn’t play too much."
Chelsea v Crystal Palace player ratings
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CHELSEA RATINGS: Forced into a good save by Mateta in the 54th minute. Made another save to deny Olise late in the game. Getty Images -
Created the Blues’ opener with a simple cutback into the danger area. Put in an important block to deny Olise in the 81st minute. The Blues’ best player on the night. Getty Images -
Wasn’t aware of the movement of Olise and got caught out of position for the visitors' equaliser. Made a vital clearance to stop Olise from getting on the end of Eze’s cross just after the restart. Reuters -
Had a fairly average first half but struggled when he was moved to full back in the second half. Getty Images -
Brilliant recovery challenge to win the ball off Mateta before he could pull the trigger in the 46th minute. Vital for the Blues when the visitors upped the tempo in the second half. Reuters -
An effective outing for the defensive midfielder. Broke up attacks well and helped kickstart attacks from deep. Reuters -
Another hard-working performance from the Blues’ captain. Did everything right by turning and playing a precise pass behind the visitors' defence for Jackson to run onto in the 73rd minute. Getty Images -
Did very well to stay onside and outrun Mitchell before slotting the ball past Dean Henderson, but he was denied by a goal-line clearance from Mitchell. Struggled to get involved after that early chance. Getty Images -
Crucial to everything good the home side did in attack in the first half. Took a little too long before taking a shot when he was put through on goal in the 26th minute and saw his pocket picked by Chris Richards. AP -
Displayed lovely vision to send Maatsen through on goal with a pin-point pass. Opened the scoring with a simple finish past a hapless Henderson. Had a good chance to make it two a few minutes later, but he failed to beat Henderson when put through on goal. Getty Images -
Displayed a lack of confidence and precision by hitting his shot wide of target when he was put through on goal in the 24th minute. Fluffed his lines when he was played through on goal again by Gallagher in the 73rd minute. Getty Images -
SUBS: (Maatsen, 58) Came on and helped the home side wrestle back control of the midfield. Didn’t offer much going forward but broke up attacks well. PA -
(Colwill, 58) Looked a little shaky after coming on. Made a mess while trying to intercept a through ball behind the Blues’ backline and almost gifted the visitors a goal. Reuters -
(Mudryk, 71) Could only find the side netting when he had a chance late in the game. Caused problems for the Palace backline after coming on but has to improve his coordination. Getty Images -
(Nkunku, 71) Electric after coming on and deservedly won a penalty for the home side in the 87th minute. Reuters -
CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Made a good save against Jackson to stop Chelsea from taking a two-goal lead in the 22nd minute. Sent the wrong way from the penalty spot by Madueke. Getty Images -
Had a tough first half against Mudryk but improved in the second. Moved in-field and got caught out of position for the Blues’ opener. Getty Images -
Made a vital goal-line clearance to stop Maatsen from opening the scoring. Kept Maatsen relatively quiet but found it tougher to deal with Madueke in the second half. Reuters -
Should have done better by staying close to Mudryk in the build-up to the home side’s first goal. Struggled to contain Jackson all through the game. Getty Images -
Had the visitors’ first shot on target with a long-range shot in the sixth minute. Made an important block to deny Broja late in the game. AFP -
Sat very deep and defended well in the first half and early in the second but seemed to tire as the game came to an end. AFP -
Tracked back well to dispossess Nkunku just before he pulled the trigger from a very dangerous position in the 26th minute. Took one for the team by picking up a yellow card for a technical foul on Madueke. Getty Images -
Went close with a free-kick from about 30 yards out in the 53rd minute. Made a clumsy challenge on Madueke in the penalty area to gift the home side a late penalty. Getty Images -
Broke the heart of Chelsea fans by bringing the ball down with a chest before hitting a volley into the bottom corner on the stroke of halftime. Tested Petrovic with a toe-pocked effort late in the game. Getty Images -
Assisted the visitors' equaliser on the stroke of half-time with a cross towards the back post for Olise to finish. Failed to get the better of Gusto and was deservedly subbed off in the second. PA -
Excellent work rate to steal possession from Caicedo before going on a run that ended with him creating a chance for Eze. Did well to turn Badiashile on the halfway line before making a darting run into the danger area and unleashing an effort that was pushed wide by Petrovic. PA -
SUBS: (Ayew, 79) Failed to make much of an impact after coming on. Matheus Franca (Lerma, 90) - N/A. AP
The win was the third in a row at home in the Premier League for Chelsea after victories over Sheffield United and Brighton and Hove Albion, ending a long run of poor home form that stretched back into last season.
But those victories have contrasted with away defeats at Newcastle United, Manchester United, Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, leaving Chelsea firmly stuck in mid-table.
"When you come from a not nice result [the 2-1 defeat at Wolves], it’s always a difficult moment to play. It was really tough, but I’m pleased with the performance overall," Pochettino said.
"We didn’t start well; we were a little bit nervous and struggled because we were thinking too much about a game we really needed to win.
"We were talking at the end about mentality," added Pochettino. "Mentality is about preparing yourself, competing in the best way, knowing the Premier League is really tough. That is where we want to be consistent, it’s a big challenge.
"We are starting to build our run of winning games at Stamford Bridge. The last year or year-and-an-half the results were not so good, so it’s so important to win in front of our fans."
A huge positive for Chelsea and their fans was the sight of Christopher Nkunku making his first start for the club. The French forward, a summer signing from RB Leipzig, had been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury in pre-season, and there are high hopes he will provide the Blues a greater goal threat.
After scoring on his debut off the bench in the defeat to Wolves, Nkunku impressed in the No 10 role against Palace, particularly in the first half, although Pochettino has urged patience as the France international builds up fitness.
"He needs to adapt to the team and the Premier League, but he played more than 60 minutes and it was an important step for him," he said. "There were a few combinations that were very good but we need to repeat these actions. We need him to be more involved but it's normal, it's his first 70 minutes. He needs to play games and he will start to find himself and adapt."
While Palace had been second-best for much of the match, the visitors still had their chances to leave Stamford Bridge with at least a point. However, the defeat extended a difficult run of form and the Eagles, who have not won since November 4, are just three points above the relegation zone.
"I think the team's performance meant it was a tough pill to swallow," Palace manager Roy Hodgson told the BBC. "We're near the bottom of table but the fact is we have had a difficult run of games."
