Crystal Palace hunger was too much for sorry Chelsea

At long last, a smile for Roy Hodgson. Not one of those polite, contrived ones, reserved for corporate events or his presentation as Crystal Palace manager.

But a real one, broad and proud, the kind of giddy emotion that only goals and victories can produce for a football manager. 485 days have passed since England’s last-gasp victory over Wales at Euro 2016 and the last time Hodgson felt this feeling. That intangible, winning scent of success. There may have been an EFL Cup victory over Huddersfield but that would not stir the senses in this manner.

Let’s be very clear. This was the result of the Premier League season, the day the down-and-outs euphorically floored the Champions. Palace appeared to be accelerating down the treadmill to Premier League oblivion. Already on their second manager by the second week of September, with seven defeats in seven games, a minus 17 goal difference and not a goal to their name, the situation appeared desperate.  

Roy Hodgson can smile again after inspiring his new side to their first win of the season

In a run stretching back to the final day of last season, Palace were eight top-flight games without a goal. No other club has experienced a run so hellish in the Premier League era. Only Palace’s own 1994 incarnation could match this batch for ineptitude, with Alan Smith’s team featuring England manager Gareth Southgate, as well as goalkeeper Nigel Martyn and striker Chris Armstrong.

The performance here therefore defied all logic. Palace were magnificent from the first whistle, biting into challenges and attacking with flair and wit through the outstanding Wilfried Zaha.

A goal inside 11 minutes helped matters and Palace required the fortune of a tangled Cesar Azpilicueta own goal to break the malaise. The goal was greeted like the arrival of a biblical prophet sent down from the Heavens to spare his subjects any further pain. 

Palace were ruthless and determined against a Chelsea side that looked way off the pace

The goal invigorated Palace. The inertia of recent performances gave way. Goalless periods sap the spirit of staff and players. They test the patience of owners, as Frank De Boer discovered, and the resilience of supporters.

Palace’s following, who have at times wavered at this ground in recent times, appreciated the intensity. They willed their team through every moment, roared every time goalkeeper Julian Speroni claimed the ball into the sanctuary of his arms. They were still put through torture at times, particularly when the fourth official lifted the board to show five added minutes and defender Mamadou Sakho decided the best form of defence was a backheel in his own penalty area. Yet Palace saw it through, as Andros Townsend and Zaha strained every sinew to carry their team upfield.

On the final whistle, fans clad in red and blue scarves rejoiced, dancing in the aisles and hugging emotionally. For the first time since the spring, they can relish a Palace appearance on Match of the Day and bask in the afterglow of the morning newspapers. Every Palace player embraced one another. Hodgson strutted down the touchline, applauding the support and seeing his grin reciprocated by thousands more. How uplifting that must feel. Now he and they can look upwards, where Palace will see Everton just four points ahead in 17th place and a more hospitable run of fixtures to come. 

The Premier League champions are nine points and 20 goals behind leaders Manchester City

Yet, what of Chelsea? Sometimes in football, inexplicable days can happen but this was a turnaround of damaging proportions, perhaps Antonio Conte’s worst as Chelsea manager.

Shorn of N’Golo Kante and Alvaro Morata, the understudies did not rise to the occasion. Michy Batshuayi was substituted after 57 minutes. He looked to the heavens and cursed in industrial French. He followed it up with a minor hissy-fit on the touchline as he brushed past Conte.

As Chelsea chased the game, their defending became ever more haggard, their attacking ventures ever more unconvincing. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois misjudged a bouncing ball and spilled an effort from distance.

Only eight games into the season, the Champions are 9 points off Manchester City and 20 behind the goal difference. No side has defended the Premier League since Manchester United in 2009 and a Chelsea title defence appears unlikely.

After this, you may even find shorter odds on Palace avoiding the drop.

With Antonio Conte’s team looking ragged at the back and wasteful up front