Going into Sunday afternoon's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, Chelsea head coach Graham Potter would have been fully aware that three points for his side was imperative. No matter how they did it, the Blues needed the win so badly.
Chelsea arrived at an emotional Stamford Bridge – with a tribute to the late Gianluca Vialli happening on the day – having lost seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions. Thursday night's 2-1 defeat to Fulham essentially summed up where Potter and his team are at the moment. Disjointed, depleted and extremely low on confidence.
However, there was one reason to be excited. Benoit Badiashile was making his debut for Chelsea after signing for around £34million earlier this month. The 21-year-old central defender had been in the last two matchday squads against Manchester City and Fulham, but was trusted from the start against Crystal Palace.
