Chelsea are lacking an experienced player who can help their game management which has cost them vital points in the Premier League title race. That is the opinion of Danny Murphy following the Blues’ 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday. The visitors dominated the opening half-hour at Selhurst Park, deservedly taking the lead courtesy of Cole Palmer, but failed to take further chances.
![[Crystal Palace FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2192425873.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Palace got back into the game and in the 82nd minute capitalised on a defensive error, allowing Jean-Philippe Mateta to tap home from six yards. The result means Chelsea have taken just two points from their last four games, leaving them fourth in the table and nine points off leaders Liverpool having played two matches more.
![[Crystal Palace FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2192428201.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
While Enzo Maresca had always denied that his side were in a title race, it is clear there is still a way to go before his team are ready to challenge for the biggest trophies. The head coach said post-match that a lack of clinicalness was to blame for the dropped point but Murphy thinks they have another problem, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘It’s game management where Chelsea are lacking at times.
![[Crystal Palace FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2192405763.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘They need to know when to slow things down, having some men drop off, having someone sitting alongside Moises Caicedo in the base of midfield, instead of this constant trying to go forward. ‘Against Fulham, it was similar to today. It ended up being end to end and like a basketball game towards the end, and they lost.
