Formation decision
Before the match had even started, the mind games began at Wembley with the announcement of Crystal Palace’s starting XI. For the first time this season, Patrick Vieira set his side up in an unfamiliar 5-3-2 formation designed to match Chelsea man for man.
Cheikhou Kouyate turned out at centre-back alongside Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi, while Wilfried Zaha and Jean-Philippe Mateta shared striking duties between them as part of a front two.