Chelsea, Liverpool Suffer Shock Defeats

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, Sports News Saturday, August 29th, 2015

Chelsea’s poor start to the season continued as they lost 2-1 at home toCrystal Palace.

The Premier League champions had won just one of their opening three games and they struggled to create clear chances in the first half against Alan Pardew’s Palace.

The Eagles grew in confidence in the second half and took the lead on 65 minutes when summer signing Bakary Sako sent the ball past Thibaut Courtois after seeing his initial shot blocked.

Jose Mourinho reacted by making three substitutions shortly after the goal, bringing on Radamel Falcao, Kenedy and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Falcao responded by heading home his first for the club on 79 minutes from a Pedro Rodriguez cross.

However, the Eagles responded almost immediately when Joel Ward headed home to make it 2-1 and leave Chelsea with just four points from their opening four games.

Cesc Fabregas had a golden chance to equalise in injury time but his shot was blocked as Palace clinched victory over their London rivals.

Liverpool endured a miserable afternoon as they slumped to a 3-0 home defeat to West Ham United and saw Philippe Coutinho sent off.

Liverpool had yet to concede a goal this season, but Manuel Lanzini turned home a mis-hit Aaron Cresswell cross-shot after three minutes to give West Ham the lead.

Mark Noble then doubled their advantage with a calm finish into the bottom corner after Dejan Lovren failed to clear.

Coutinho was then sent off on 52 minutes when he picked up his second booking for a foul on Dimitri Payet, while Noble also received his marching orders for a foul on debutant Danny Ings with 12 minutes remaining.

Diafra Sakho then rounded off the victory with a third goal for the Hammers in injury time.

ESPN