Crystal Palace win at Chelsea as Jose Mourinho's awful season continues

Chelsea’s miserable start to the season continued after they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace with Joel Ward scoring the winner nine minutes from time at Stamford Bridge.

Bakary Sako gave Palace the lead in the second half before Radamel Falcao equalised 11 minutes from time for his first goal for the Blues. But Ward had the last say with a header to condemn the champions to their third defeat in the past five matches.

And it was a deserved victory for the visitors after an impressive display. They should have taken the lead in the first half through Yohann Cabaye but the Frenchman’s tame effort from 10 yards was saved by Thibaut Courtois with the goal at his mercy.

The Eagles led when substitute Yannick Bolasie’s low cross found Sako, whose first effort was blocked by Cesar Azpilcueta but he managed to slam in the rebound.

Falcao thought he had salvaged a point for the home side with a diving header from Pedro’s cross but that was short lived as Ward headed in Sako’s cross to clinch a dramatic victory and go second in the table.

25’ – GOOD SAVE: Sako's low drive from a tight angle is saved by Courtois' foot at his near post after a swift Palace counter-attack.

29’ – CABAYE CHANCE! Zaha does brilliantly to spin Ivanovic and tee up Cabaye from 10 yards out but his side-footed effort is weak and is saved by Courtois.

42’ – DOUBLE CHANCE! Chelsea break from the corner and Costa's low shot is parried by McCarthy and Fabregas' effort on the rebound is cleared off the line by Dann. That was the Blues' best chance of the half.

65’ – HAZARD EFFORT: Costa goes around Dann and Ward, the ball balls to Hazard whose deflected effort goes inches around the post.

66’ - GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Crystal Palace. Sako fires the ball in from eight yards after his first effort was blocked by Azpilicueta.

74’ – BOLASIE MISS! Bolasie with a glorious chance from four yards out after Sako's cross but he shins it wide!

79’ – GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace. It's Falcao with a diving header at the near post after a fine cross by Pedro.

81’ - GOAL! Chelsea 1-2 Crystal Palace. Ward with a close range header after Sako teed him up with a clever touch from Bolasie's cross.

This was Jose Mourinho's 100th Premier League home match in charge of Chelsea and only his second defeat at home.

This was also the Special One’s 200th Premier League fixture and he has the most points won by a manager after 200 matches in the competition (453).

Bakary Sako has scored five goals and made four assists in the past nine games.

Palace have won eight of their nine league away matches since Alan Pardew’s appointment.

What is going wrong with Chelsea? Branislav Ivanovic had another match to forget after being given the runaround by Papa Soure and later Yannick Bolasie down the left. The Blues missed John Terry’s leadership. While in attack, Eden Hazard looked a shadow of the player of last season and Diego Costa looked isolated up front.

Bakary Sako (Crystal Palace): The former Wolves man was a constant danger with his crosses and link up play. And he capped off an impressive display by scoring a well taken goal which flew into the roof of the net before setting up Joel Ward with a clever touch.

Chelsea: Courtois 6, Ivanovic 5, Cahill 6, Zouma 6, Azpilicueta 6, Matic 5, Fabregas 5, Pedro 5, Willian 4, Hazard 5, Diego Costa 6. Subs: Loftus-Cheek 5, Kenedy 5, Falcao 7.

Crystal Palace: McCarthy 8, Ward 7, Dann 7, Delaney 7, Souare 7, McArthur 5, Cabaye 5, Zaha 5, Puncheon 6, Sako 9, Wickham 6. Subs: Ledley 5, Bolasie 7, Lee 5.