THE NOTEBOOK: Two Cobham captains face off, Mauricio Pochettino misses his wedding anniversary and Chelsea name their youngest EVER Premier League starting eleven
Noni Madueke won and scored the winning penalty as Chelsea defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening.
It was Mykhailo Mudryk who put Chelsea ahead with a well-worked goal, after excellent build-up play from French right back Malo Gusto.
But the Blues fell behind just before half-time when poor defense allowed Michael Olise to easily bring the ball down and volley past Djorde Petrovic.
It seemed a familiar story for Chelsea as they failed to convert chances until Madueke was fouled late in the penalty area by Eberechi Eze, with the England U21 international coolly converting from the spot.
Mail Sport's AADAM PATEL takes a look at some of the things you might have missed at Stamford Bridge.
Noni Madueke celebrates his winner with Axel Disasi, Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo
Madueke won a penalty after being fouled in the area by Palace winger Eberechi Eze
Michael Olise converted Palace's biggest chance when he was given too much space
Straight from Cobham
The two teams were captained by Cobham graduates, Marc Guehi and Conor Gallagher.
Both are childhood friends who went from the Chelsea academy to Swansea and then to Crystal Palace, with Gallagher returning from his loan spell at Chelsea last year.
And there was a wonderful interview with the Chelsea skipper on the matchday program discussing how hectic the festive period is in the Gallagher family, with all four brothers involved in football.
Raynes Park Vale – managed by Josh Gallagher and another brother Jake in the playing squad drew 0-0 with Sutton Common Rovers in the Isthmian League South Central Division on Boxing Day.
While Dan Gallagher's side, Dorking Wanderers, lost to Oxford City in the National League.
The results on Wednesday evening put at least one Gallagher on the winning side during the festive period!
Conor Gallagher put in another strong and diligent performance as Chelsea captain
No time for festivities
Mauricio Pochettino was not very happy that his team had to play at Wolves on Christmas Eve.
Chelsea's match meant Pochettino had to miss his 31st wedding anniversary on the 23rd as his team traveled to Wolverhampton the night before and, as per Argentinian custom, the Christmas celebrations began on the evening of December 24.
But after their eighth league defeat of the season on Sunday, Pochettino may not have been in the mood to celebrate at all.
Chelsea then trained on Christmas and Boxing Days, while Roy Hodgson opted to give the Palace players the full day off over Christmas – no surprise considering they had three more days than Chelsea to prepare for this match.
Youthful Chelsea
This was Chelsea's youngest ever Premier League starting XI, with an average age of 23 years and 21 days.
It was also the youngest eleven named by a Premier League team since Manchester United against Crystal Palace in May 2017 (22 years and 284 days).
On the bench was 18-year-old Leo Castledine, son of former Wimbledon striker Stewart Castledine, and expectations are high for the teenage midfielder. Castledine Jr has played for England in every age group from U15 to U18.
Christopher Nkunku impressed with another creative display for the Blues going forward
Going into this match, Chelsea had won just 10 of their 41 league games in 2023, with Roy Hodgson's Palace the only team of all non-promoted and relegated sides to win fewer.
Chelsea were the dominant side for much of the first half, with Christopher Nkunku showing promise in his first Premier League start.
He was influential for the opening goal. But once again Chelsea were made to pay for their waste as Michael Olise equalized in first-half extra time.
Remarkably, five of Olise's seven goals in the Premier League came in first-half or second-half stoppage time.
A red face from the referee
There was a brilliant moment in the second half when referee Michael Salisbury accidentally sent off Crystal Palace's Mike Richards.
Richards fouled Noni Madueke as Chelsea looked to counter and when Salisbury reached into his top pocket he pulled out the red card instead.
It was only when he lifted the card to show Richards that he realized his mistake before reaching into his back pocket to pull out his yellow card.
It's fair to say Salisbury was a little red-faced!