Victor Moses’ absence proved a huge blow for Chelsea as the Premier League leaders suffered a shock 1-2 defeat at home to relegation threatened Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Chelsea coach, Antonio Conte, was forced to change from his preferred 3-4-3 to 3-5-2 with the Super Eagles star missing due to a calf strain.
That unsettled the Blues, giving Sam Allardyce’s men a chance to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the league campaign.
Chelsea had won their past 10 league games at Stamford Bridge and had not lost there in any competition since 16 September, but saw that run ended by a battling Eagles side.
The Blues struck first, when Cesc Fabregas turned home Eden Hazard’s cross after five minutes, but they were quickly behind.
Wilfried Zaha produced a fine solo finish to turn and fire home from the edge of the box and, 91 seconds later, set up Christian Benteke to put Palace ahead with a delicate dinked effort.
Chelsea piled on the pressure and had 24 shots at goal, their second-highest total in 29 league games this season.
But they could find no way past Eagles keeper Wayne Hennessey, who made 11 saves in total to ensure his side won a fourth successive game.
The defeat cuts the gap between Chelsea and second-placed Tottenham to seven points following the north London club’s 2-0 win at Burnley.
Chelsea’s next game is against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Wednesday, by which time they will hope to have Moses available.
