Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace fought back from a goal behind to draw 1-1 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge,, earning their first point of the Premier League season.
The result was the first time the Eagles have avoided defeat against the Blues since a 2-1 victory in October 2017.
Chelsea went ahead in match through striker Nicolas Jackson but Palace equalised in the second half through a magnificent Eberechi Eze strike.
Although it is still very much early days, the Eagles will have been pleased to move out of the relegation zone into 16th place.
Oliver Glasner, Eberechi Eze and Tyrick Mitchell all spoke the media following the result:
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Glasner on a hard-fought draw
Glasner will have been happy his side could stop a run of two defeats with their first point of the new campaign.
“Yes, absolutely a positive point with all the circumstances coming here. You know after two defeats in the Premier League and just 14 on-field players from our squad available because of injuries or the new players couldn’t play today. There was four from the under 21s.”
Despite the positive result, Palace had made it difficult for themselves after a lacklustre showing in the first half saw them trail 1-0 at half time.
“First half we didn’t find the opportunities where they are, and we had it in the preparation. We showed them again at half time that we have to switch the game and find the pockets.”
“With Daniel Munoz and Mitchell we have runners always here. But we didn’t find them. In two or three situations we got a bit lucky. We had a great goalkeeper here today.”
“Then in the second half I think we were in a very good shape so that they didn’t find space.”
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Performance of Dean Henderson
Palace had goalkeeper Dean Henderson to thank on several occasions with the England international making six saves, including a vital save at the death to deny Jackson and secure a point.
Glasner commended the performance, and the ability of Henderson to recover from a heavy blow to the head which had raised fears the stopper might have to be replaced.
“Yes absolutely Dean was knocked down after the goal. He gets the reward with his big saves. We know that he’s a great goalkeeper and that’s why he’s also nominated for England.”
“I said to him sometimes it is good when you get a knock. We knew that we would need him here at Stamford Bridge with the quality that they have.”
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Team News and International Break
Only four first team players were listed on the bench and when questioned Glasner provided explanations on the absences of each player.
“Jefferson Lerma has a problem with his toe. After the day off he came back, and his toe hurts and he couldn’t step into the boot and of course he can’t play. At the moment we don’t know where it comes from, but he had too much pain.”
On Rob Holding, Glasner stated, “Rob is training individually at the moment. We talked together and he knows the reason. It stays between Rob and me and not the public.”
With the upcoming international break allowing Palace a chance to regroup, integrate the new signings, and allow players to recover after a busy summer period representing their national sides, Glasner was asked what his sides focus during the international break would be.
“That’s very individual as half of the team is not here. We hope that everybody comes back in good shape and healthy. With the others it is now time to integrate some new players.”
“JP Mateta will get time off as he has come straight after the Olympic Finals and needs time to recover. T Mitchell played every game from the first until the last minute so for him it is different.”
“Our South American players will arrive on Thursday when we play Leicester on Saturday. I hope that everybody comes back fit, and we will use that time to integrate all the other players.”
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Eze describes his first Premier League goal of the season
Eze was also delighted when talking to the media about the sides performance, “Yeah, I think we done well. We put in a shift. We knew it was going to be difficult as they’re a good team.”
On getting the first point of the season: “We think it is something to build on for sure.”
Being off the mark and describing his goal: “Whenever I get the ball in that type of area I’m looking to get the ball in the back of the net. Whether it is to assist or shoot myself and today it worked.”
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Mitchell reflects on a point at the Bridge
Tyrick Mitchell also provided his thoughts after the match, after an impressive showing at wing-back.
“It was a hard game. First half they attacked us well but second half we showed that we are capable, and we created many good chances. Ebs got the goal, so it was a good point.”
Needing to stay in the game, “In the first half we knew what we could have done better. Which was pressing them a bit better. Then we would get chances. They attack very well but it was about exploiting them gaps.”
Mitchell also talked about the resurgence from Palace after half-time, with the change in approach providing a platform to achieve a point.
“If we start fast and get a goal early, we can cause problems. Thankfully Eze with a wonderful goal scored we built on from there.”
Henderson excelled throughout and Mitchell expressed his gratitude for his keeper, “He’s an amazing goalie. You can tell every week he’s pulling off big saves and helping us. It’s good to know when you are a defender that you’ve got a great defender behind you.”
First point of the season: “Yeah definitely, every stadium in the Premier League will be hard to play at. Especially away from home and Chelsea are a massive club so it’s good to get a point.”
The new additions on deadline day: “Yeah definitely. We’ve got a squad full of great players. It’s good next game we’ll have everyone there so it will be exciting.”
