(Football news) Chelsea tore up the record book to defeat Aston Villa 3-1 in the FA Cup fourth-round replay on Wednesday, the Eagles’ misery extended last weekend as they were humiliated 4-1 by longtime rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.
At the Amex Stadium last Saturday, the Seagulls and Eagles engaged in a bird-of-a-prey match that saw the home team soar while the visitors’ wings were clipped. Lewis Dunk, Jack Hinshelwood, and Facundo Buonanotte helped a resurgent Brighton take a 3-0 lead in just 34 minutes.
A well-taken header by Jean-Philippe Mateta made things interesting heading into the final 20 minutes, but any Palace fans holding on to glimmers of optimism threw those hopes down the drain when Joao Pedro restored Brighton’s four-goal advantage on another deflating afternoon for Roy Hodgson and co.
While the result was disheartening enough, Hodgson’s decision to bring on an unfit Michael Olise – who lasted just over 10 minutes before injury struck again – led to bewilderment and berating from within the Palace faithful and beyond, but the 76-year-old remains in control of the reins for the time being.
Apparently due to a lack of willing candidates, Hodgson’s job is likely safe for the rest of the season, and the 14th-placed Eagles still have a five-point gap to the relegation zone, although their position could become more precarious depending on results on Saturday.
It is not all doom and gloom for the Selhurst Park contingent, though, as they have witnessed their team take seven points from the last nine on offer at home – marching to successive wins over Brentford and Sheffield United with three goals in each contest – but their visitors arrive with a renewed sense of self-assurance.
Hodgson and his opposite number Mauricio Pochettino have both been feeling the heat over the winter period, as the latter witnessed both Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers hit his side for four before an FA Cup fourth-round replay with Aston Villa, who had just put five past Sheffield United without reply.
The die was seemingly cast from the off, but to the surprise of Blues fans and neutral supporters, Pochettino’s men produced one of – if not their best – display of the Argentine’s fledgling reign to advance to the fifth round, as Conor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez tamed the Lions.
Although Chelsea are still in the familiar position of mid-table mediocrity in 11th place, they are still in the running for both the FA Cup and the EFL Cup double as they prepare to play Liverpool in the latter tournament’s final later this month. There is still hope for Chelsea to return to Europe.
Chelsea has the opportunity to set an unwelcome club record on Monday night when they score four goals in three straight top-flight games, a first for the Premier League era. However, a desired club record is also in play.
