Chelsea nearly got off to the worst possible start in their London derby against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
In the end, Chelsea were able to win the match 3-1, with Estevao Willian, Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez scoring their goals.
Estevao was the star of the show, even managing to set a record at Selhurst Park after netting and assisting.
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However, before his opener, Liam Rosenior’s side were fortunate not to have conceded a goal.
- READ MORE: Mark Schwarzer claims one thing would have disappointed Liam Rosenior in Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
Benoit Badiashile proves he can deal with a top Premier League striker after handling Jean-Philippe Mateta
Chelsea’s trip to Selhurst Park saw Benoit Badiashile go toe-to-toe with Jean-Philippe Mateta, one of English football’s finest strikers.
Early into the game, it looked like Mateta was going to get the better of his compatriot. Badiashile made a mistake that presented Mateta with an opportunity to score, but Robert Sanchez was able to make an excellent save.
After that, though, Badiashile settled and ended up putting in a solid display. In total, the central defender made 14 defensive actions, which was the most in the match, according to Sofascore.
How do you think Benoit Badiashile fared against Jean-Philippe Mateta?
Because of injuries, Badiashile has not always had the chance to prove himself. Errors in his game, like the one Chelsea supporters saw over the weekend, have also drawn a lot of criticism.
However, by limiting Mateta’s impact, the Frenchman showed everyone that he is capable of coming out on top against a quality Premier League centre-forward.
Badiashile’s passing against Charlton Athletic was criticised not too long ago, but he looked quite assured on the ball at Selhurst Park.
Where Benoit Badiashile still needs to improve
As already touched on, to reach that next level, Badiashile needs to stop making mistakes that lead to the opposition getting a shot away.
Additionally, the France international also needs to show consistency, which can only happen if he manages to stay fit.
Ultimately, Badiashile can be pleased with his performance against Palace, but there is still much room for improvement.
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