Mourinho's black day at the bridge | Chelsea 1-2 Crystal Palace [Match report & highlights]

The script was perfectly written and the stage, immaculately set for Jose Mourinho's 200th home game in charge at Stamford Bridge, Pedro installed in the starting line up for his home debut as the new bride, Crystal Palace strolled in to town, probably to fulfill righteousness and walk back across town quietly, no... Not this time.

Sloppy defending from Branislav Ivanovic nearly handed the Eagles the opener but Thibaut Courtois came to the rescue, Yohan Cabaye then went close before the half hour mark, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa were denied by Alex McCarthy in the Palace goal.

Crystal Palace grew in the game and tested the partnership of Zouma and Cahill in the heart of Chelsea defense, Mourinho must send Azpilicueta back to the right and give new signing, Baba Rahman a run in, Ivanovic seems to be past it, or simply put... Out of form.

Crystal Palace started the second half brighter and were soon rewarded, some poor defending from you know who forced Cahill to slip and the lurking Bakary Sako fired beyond Courtois for the opening goal.


Mourinho responded by throwing in Falcao, Kennedy and Loftus-Cheek, but it was Pardew who had the last laugh, the Colombian had converted Pedro's cross with a flying header to send the Stamford Bridge ground into delirium.



But Joel ward returned them to earth almost immediately with a curling header.



Cesc Fabregas had a shot blocked in dying seconds as Chelsea hoped in vain to avoid a home defeat which leaves them massively behind runaway leaders Manchester City, chances of retaining their crown seems to be vanishing, eight points deficit after just four outings doesn't look good, Mourinho will bring in fresh reinforcements, who? Let's wait and see.