The Blues had closed the gap on leader Liverpool but stumbled three times in a row.
Chelsea lost 2-0 to Ipswich Town away last Monday, the 30th, in a match valid for the 19th round of the Premier League. The goals were scored by Delap, from the penalty spot, and Hutchinson. Find the top football updates at ai scores.
The Blues’ end of the year is one to forget. After a series of victories and an unbeaten streak, the team managed by Enzo Maresca reached second place in the competition and dreamed of closing the gap to leader Liverpool. The difference had even been as small as two points – with the Reds having a game in hand.
But in the last three rounds, the team has faltered. First, a bitter draw against Everton took away the chance to keep chasing the leader. Then, a loss to Fulham at home, conceding a late winner, seemed to shake the Chelsea supporters. In the last round of 2024, the culmination of the bad form: a 2-1 defeat to second-to-last placed Ipswich Town.
Where they once dreamed of leading the table, the situation now looks different. The three setbacks have dropped them to fourth place with 35 points, 10 points behind Liverpool, who still has a game in hand. The situation is even worse when looking behind. Newcastle follows closely in fifth place with 32 points and seems to have found their form from last season. Furthermore, Manchester City sits in sixth place with 31 points, and it remains to be seen if Pep Guardiola’s men have truly returned to winning ways or if their triumph over Leicester was a one-off.
There is no time for regrets. Next Saturday, the 4th, Chelsea will be back in action against Crystal Palace away, hoping to recover their good form. Get the edge with ToSport.
