Palmer’s early strike owed much to the brilliance of Jadon Sancho, who opened Crystal Palace’s backline up with a cute dummy before picking out Palmer.

Nicolas Jackson had the best of our chances to extend our lead, while the Eagles’ threat increased as the game wore on. Nonetheless, it was still a source of frustration when they levelled with eight minutes left through Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s close-range finish, as we had enjoyed more than enough of the ball and got into plenty of promising positions without adding a second.

The Blues remain in fourth place in the Premier League, with attention now turning to the start of our FA Cup campaign next weekend.

Youngster handed full league debut

The inclusion of Josh Acheampong from the off was the big pre-match talking point, with the 18-year-old lining up alongside fellow Chelsea Academy graduate Levi Colwill in the heart of defence.

There were five other fresh faces in the Blues' starting XI. Robert Sanchez returned in goal and Malo Gusto came into the defence. Further upfield, Palmer was flanked by Pedro Neto and Sancho, with Noni Madueke and Joao Felix dropping to the bench. Jackson led the line for the 50th time from the start in a Premier League game.

For our hosts, Marc Guehi returned in defence for the ineligible Trevoh Chalobah, while Cheick Doucoure replaced the injured Will Hughes.

Early dominance rewarded

The contest started in a similar vein to our last two away games, with the Blues enjoying most of the possession and the territory.

On this occasion, we could make our early dominance count. Sancho and Jackson had already had opportunities to break the deadlock when Palmer did just that on 14 minutes.

Sancho was the instigator with a moment of genius that opened Palace up. He dummied a Marc Cucurella pass to him on halfway, completely fooling Chris Richards, and collected the ball on other side before beating Richards again for good measure. Then came a clever pass inside to Palmer, who fired through Marc Guehi’s legs, across Dean Henderson, and into the bottom corner.

In search of a quick second to put daylight between us and the Eagles, Jackson miscued a volley that came to him at an awkward height. Another neat Chelsea move created space for Enzo Fernandez to cross, with his delivery diverted not far over his own bar by Maxence Lacroix. Acheampong, who enjoyed an assured first half, headed the resulting corner wide.

It took until the 34th minute for Palace to threaten for the first time, Mateta shooting wide with the aid of a slight deflection. We just about dealt with the two dangerous corners that followed.

Close to a second

With the end of a first half that had raced by approaching, we almost conjured up another superb goal. Palmer fizzed a half-volleyed pass beyond Guehi’s reach and into Jackson’s path. He dropped a shoulder and went for goal with an outside-the-boot effort that whistled past Henderson and the far post – but only just!

Palace started the second period on the front foot and will feel they should have equalised three minutes in. Daniel Munoz’s cutback picked out Ebere Eze, 10 yards out, but he could only sidefoot wide.

The next good chance was Palace’s, too, Richards forcing Sanchez into a flying stop from Eze’s free-kick.

Having re-established control of proceedings, we had a good shout for a penalty just after the hour, but Tyrick Mitchell was adjudged to have got the faintest touch on the ball when Neto prodded it past him.

As we entered the final quarter, the game was still very much in the balance. Great blocks from Gusto and Acheampong snuffed out a pair of Palace attacks, while Enzo Fernandez and Jackson went close for us in the space of 60 seconds. The latter’s strike on his left kissed the outside of the post after Moises Caicedo had slipped him in.

Colwill was the next Chelsea defender to excel, throwing himself at a Mateta shot to deflect it over.

Enzo Maresca made his first switch with ten minutes plus stoppages remaining, sending on birthday boy Marc Guiu for Jackson.

Late leveller

The striker’s first touch was to kick off as Palace immediately drew level through Mateta. Eze was slipped into space and he unselfishly squared for the Frenchman to turn the ball home under pressure from Cucurella.

The Blues battled hard in search of another late winner at this ground but it proved in vain as, for the second time these teams have met this season, it finished 1-1.

What it means...

The Blues' long streak of victories at Selhurst Park comes to an end as our winless run extends to four games. We remain in fourth place.

What's next...

Morecambe visit Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup third round next Saturday after a rare midweek off. Our next league game is against Bournemouth at the Bridge on Tuesday 14 January.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez, Gusto, Acheampong, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez (c), Neto, Palmer, Sancho (Madueke 86), Jackson (Guiu 81)
Unused subs Jorgensen, James, Disasi, Tosin, Veiga, Joao Felix, Nkunku
Scorer Palmer 14
Booked Colwill 64, Fernandez 80

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Guehi, Lacroix; Munoz, Doucoure (Kamada 69), Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze (Nketiah 87); Mateta
Unused subs Turner, Riad, Clyne, Devenny, Schlupp, Kporha, Agbinone
Scorer Mateta 82

Referee Tim Robinson

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