Tyrique George equalised for us early in the second period after Adler Nascimento had given his side the lead and Chelsea had missed a penalty. However, despite heavy pressure on the Palace goal, we could not find the winner and were forced to settle for a draw.

Hassan Sulaiman’s boys were unbeaten in their last four games, and they sought another positive result to build on their recent form.

It was a quiet first period from both sides, as neither team could find a route to goal. The best chance of the half fell to Ronnie Stutter who received a good cross into the box from Somto Boniface, but his eventual effort was blocked as it looked destined to break the deadlock.

The away side took the lead with their first chance of the game, and it was a good goal from Nascimento as he found the top corner with a curled shot.

The goal woke us up and we began to carve through Palace at will.

Zain Silcott-Duberry was first to come close as he made space in the penalty box but his slight delay in shooting allowed the Palace defence to recover and block his shot.

We won a penalty soon after, as Cormac Austin was adjudged to have handled the ball.

Stutter stepped up, but he blazed it onto the crossbar.

We found our goal though, and it came in sensational fashion as George struck from distance and the ball flew into the top corner.

Max Merrick was on hand to make a good stop in the box from David Obou’s shot as the second period was a huge contrast to the first which was played at a much slower tempo.

We were getting closer to a winner and a great block denied Donnell McNeilly’s goalbound volley and with the follow-up effort, Palace keeper Jackson Izquierdo made a great save to prevent Kiano Dyer’s shot from going into the goal.

The game would end as a draw, as our young Blues were on top for most of the half but failed to find the go-ahead goal.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Max Merrick; Harrison McMahon, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson, Somto Boniface; Sam Rak-Sakyi, Kiano Dyer; Zain Silcott-Duberry, Donnell McNeilly, Tyrique George; Ronnie Stutter (c) (Shumaira Mheuka 69) (Ato Ampah 76).

Unused subs: Reiss Russell-Denny, Noah Hay, Chinonso Chibueze.

Booked: Ato Ampah 90+3.

Scorer: Tyrique George 63.

Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Jackson Izquierdo, Finley Marjoram, Johnnie Williams, Cormac Austin, Rio Cardines, Mofe Jemide, Adler Nascimento (Matteo Dashi 86), Dylan Reid (c), Zach Marsh, Hirdolo Mustapha (Asher Agbinone 76), Franco Umeh (David Obou 56).

Unused subs: George King, Billy Eastwood.

Booked: Franco Umeh 27.

Scorer: Adler Nascimento 48.