The Chelsea F.C. vs Crystal Palace F.C. timeline spans more than a century, beginning with a shock FA Cup upset in 1906 and evolving into a modern London derby defined by long Chelsea streaks and tactical contrasts between West and South London clubs. The most recent phase shows Chelsea’s sustained unbeaten Premier League run against Palace through 2025, including a 0-0 at Stamford Bridge to open the 2025/26 season. 

A result that ended a string of high-scoring Chelsea performances but preserved the Eagles’ newfound resilience from 2024 onward. Expect a rivalry that blends historical anomalies, era-defining streaks, and landmark cup ties into a narrative where Palace periodically upsets the odds while Chelsea maintain the upper hand across decades.

Origins and early shocks

The fixture’s earliest standout moment arrived on November 18, 1906, when Crystal Palace stunned Chelsea 7-1 in the FA Cup, one of Palace’s most emphatic results over a top-flight opponent at the time and still the biggest margin for Palace in this head-to-head. Chelsea and Palace would not be consistent league opponents for much of the early 20th century, but their sporadic meetings in the 1920s included a 2-2 draw in Division Two in 1924 and a 1-0 Palace league win in 1925, signposting the rivalry’s early unpredictability. Palace also clipped Chelsea in the FA Cup in 1926 with a 2-1 win, underscoring Palace’s cup pedigree at a time when the clubs moved in and out of the same divisions.

The 1969–1976 spell: top-flight meetings and cup intensity

After a long lull, the late 1960s and 1970s brought renewed league attention: Chelsea and Palace drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge in August 1969 before Chelsea thumped Palace 5-1 at Selhurst in December 1969, a result that reflected Chelsea’s attacking flair in that era. In the 1970 FA Cup, Chelsea beat Palace 4-1 in the Round of 16 during the Blues’ legendary FA Cup-winning season, with the tie marking a high-profile knockout clash in this matchup’s timeline. Palace struck back with significant wins in the 1970s: a 2-0 league win in March 1973 and a notable 3-2 FA Cup victory away at Stamford Bridge in February 1976, which stands as Palace’s biggest win at Stamford Bridge in this rivalry.

1980s–early 1990s: tight contests and the Full Members’ Cup

The clubs saw more second-tier duels in the early 1980s, trading narrow wins and low-scoring draws, including a 1-0 Chelsea win at Selhurst in April 1982 amid tightly contested Division Two campaigns. A quirky and now-defunct competition, the Full Members’ Cup, gave Chelsea a pair of wins over Palace in 1990 (2-0 away and 2-0 at home), highlighting Chelsea’s depth in cup formats during that period. Early Premier League-era meetings (1992–1995) featured balanced results, including a Chelsea 3-1 win in 1992, a 1-1 draw at Selhurst in 1993, and a 0-0 at Stamford Bridge in 1995 that would presage the rarity of draws between these sides for decades to come.

Late 1990s: big Chelsea wins and a lopsided era

Chelsea’s 6-2 demolition of Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on March 11, 1998, remains one of the biggest Blues wins in the Premier League era against the Eagles, anchoring a period of lopsided head-to-head results as Chelsea rose under new ambition and talent. The 1997/98 season also included a 3-0 Chelsea win at Selhurst, bookending Palace’s top-flight campaign with emphatic losses to the Blues; Chelsea’s attacking depth overwhelmed Palace’s back line in both fixtures. Chelsea similarly controlled the 2004/05 Premier League season matchups, winning 2-0 away and 4-1 at home, reflecting Jose Mourinho’s early Chelsea dominance carried into London derbies.

2013–2017: Palace upsets puncture Chelsea dominance

The fixture returned to regular prominence from 2013/14 when Palace were back in the Premier League, and the Eagles immediately landed a famous 1-0 win in March 2014 at Selhurst, a turning point that tested Chelsea’s title-winning aspirations that season. Palace won at Stamford Bridge in August 2015 (2-1), a rare and memorable away victory that underscored Alan Pardew’s capacity to organize counterattacks that punished Chelsea’s full-back spaces. In a dramatic sequence, Palace won 2-1 away at Chelsea in April 2017 and 2-1 at Selhurst in October 2017, marking Palace’s last home and away wins over Chelsea in that era; October 2017 stands as Palace’s last victory in the league head-to-head into the mid-2020s.

2018–2023: Chelsea’s long streak reasserts control

From March 2018 through February 2024, Chelsea compiled a 14-match winning streak against Palace across competitions, outscoring the Eagles 33-9 over that stretch, an extraordinary dominance run that reset the balance of the rivalry. Signature wins included 3-1 (2018), 2-0 (2019), and 4-0 (2020) at Stamford Bridge, matches that showcased Chelsea’s superior transitions and set-piece execution against Palace’s mid-block structure. Chelsea also beat Palace 2-0 in the FA Cup semi-final on April 17, 2022, to advance to Wembley’s showpiece, a pivotal cup meeting in the modern timeline that reinforced Chelsea’s knockout pedigree against their London rivals.

2024–2025: the draw that broke the pattern

On February 12, 2024, Chelsea won 3-1 at Selhurst Park, extending their long unbeaten run and marking their 14th consecutive win in the series, before Palace finally grabbed a point with a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on September 1, 2024, breaking a 13-match Premier League losing streak vs. Chelsea. The 1-1 draw in September 2024 was also the first league draw in the fixture since 1995, ending a 26-game league run without a level result—a statistical quirk that had become a major talking point among supporters. Palace followed with a 1-1 draw at Selhurst on January 4, 2025, giving the Eagles their first season in which they avoided defeat home and away against Chelsea in the league since 1991/92, a big narrative shift even amid Chelsea’s broader unbeaten streak.

Opening day 2025/26: stalemate at the Bridge

The 2025/26 Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge finished 0-0, a cagey derby draw where Chelsea were dominant in territory and chances but failed to convert, while Palace, fresh from winning the FA Community Shield against Liverpool on penalties, maintained defensive structure and discipline. Official league records logged the match as a goalless draw on August 17, 2025, sustaining Chelsea’s unbeaten Premier League run vs. Palace to 15 matches and back-to-back clean-sheet draws for Palace at the Bridge. Multiple outlets emphasized the trend: Chelsea had scored in 22 straight league meetings prior to these recent draws; the 0-0 underscored how Palace’s recent organization closed that tap, reinforcing a newer tactical narrative in the timeline.

Head-to-head overview and milestones

Totals vary slightly by source and cutoff date, but club and independent tallies consistently show Chelsea holding a commanding all-competitions advantage, with around 38 wins for Chelsea, approximately 12 for Palace, and the rest draws through late 2024/2025. The biggest Chelsea league win remains 6-2 in March 1998, while Palace’s biggest head-to-head win is the 7-1 FA Cup shock in 1906; Palace’s biggest league win is 2-0 in 1972/73, and their biggest win at Stamford Bridge in any competition is 3-2 in the 1975/76 FA Cup. Chelsea’s longest modern streak was 14 straight wins (2018–Feb 2024), while Palace’s 2024/25 double draw ended a 13-match Premier League losing streak and delivered the first season of two league results without defeat against Chelsea since 1991/92.

What people ask on YouTube: highlights, streaks, and turning points

Highlights compilations draw attention to matches like Chelsea 3-0 Palace (Aug 14, 2021), where Trevoh Chalobah’s debut goal capped a commanding display, and to tactical videos dissecting why Chelsea’s patterns often troubled Palace’s mid-block. Fan reaction and analysis content surrounding the 0-0 opener in 2025 ask whether Chelsea’s chance creation under new coaching translates into goals, reflecting a narrative pivot from prior seasons’ comfortable wins to finely balanced derbies. Preview shows for the 2025/26 opener examined streaks—Chelsea’s 15-match unbeaten league run vs. Palace, the first draw since 1995 in 2024, and Palace’s recent defensive solidity after Community Shield success—positioning the fixture as unpredictable again.

Tactical patterns that defined eras

In Mourinho-influenced periods (mid-2000s), Chelsea’s compact 4-3-3 and set-piece prowess overmatched Palace’s transitional defending, resulting in multi-goal wins and clean sheets that set the tone for the late 2000s and early 2010s. From 2013–2017, Palace’s counter-attacking blueprint under managers like Pardew leveraged wide pace and direct balls into channels, yielding scalps at both grounds—including back-to-back 2-1 wins in 2017 that punctured Chelsea’s aura. From 2018–2023, Chelsea’s possession control and structured pressing limited Palace’s counter lanes, producing the 14-match winning run, while the 2024–2025 draws suggest Palace’s compact 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 mid-block adapted to deny central progression and cut off cutbacks.

Stamford Bridge vs Selhurst Park: venue narratives

Stamford Bridge historically leaned heavily to Chelsea, with long stretches of home dominance, including a sequence of five straight league wins at the Bridge from 2020 to 2023 before the 1-1 draw in September 2024 and the 0-0 in August 2025. Selhurst Park delivered several timeline inflection points: Palace’s 1-0 in 2014, 2-1 in 2017, and the last pre-2024 Palace league win over Chelsea in October 2017, even as Chelsea later won repeatedly at Selhurst during the 2018–2024 period. The 2024 and January 2025 draws (home and away) balanced the venue story, suggesting a narrowing gap in match control at both grounds and reintroducing stalemate dynamics unseen since the mid-1990s.

Cups and one-off showpieces

The FA Cup has sprinkled notable encounters: Chelsea’s 4-1 in 1970 en route to the trophy and a 2-0 semi-final win in April 2022 that sent Chelsea to Wembley, cementing cup leverage in the modern era. Palace’s famous 1976 FA Cup win at Stamford Bridge (3-2) remains a touchstone for Palace fans, often cited as a classic upset away from home. Though not head-to-head, Palace’s 2025 Community Shield triumph over Liverpool via penalties set the tone for their approach to the season opener at the Bridge—a pragmatic confidence that fed into the ensuing 0-0 against Chelsea.

Statistical curiosities and streaks

Draws were extraordinarily rare for decades: between March 1995 and September 2024, the clubs went 26 straight league meetings without a draw, a run ended by the 1-1 in 2024 and extended into a new pattern with the 0-0 in August 2025. Chelsea scored in 22 consecutive Premier League meetings from 2014 through late 2024, underscoring systemic attacking superiority—until Palace’s recent improvements stemmed the flow. Across many modern seasons, Chelsea enjoyed sweeping doubles over Palace (winning both league fixtures), including across 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, and 2021/22, before 2024/25 broke the sequence with two draws.

Recent head-to-head and records (club/stat sources)

Chelsea club communications in August 2025 summarized the head-to-head as 67 all-competitions meetings: Chelsea won 38, drew 17, lost 12, with clear context that league and cup tallies combine for the figure. As with such stats, slight variations appear across databases due to counting conventions. Independent timelines similarly list Chelsea around 38 wins, 12 losses, and mid-to-high teens in draws through late 2024, aligning with the club narrative while itemizing fixture-by-fixation history. Aggregators and media previews in August 2025 consistently noted the 15-match unbeaten Premier League stretch for Chelsea and flagged Palace’s 2024/25 pair of draws as the new storyline going into 2025/26.

Why the rivalry remains compelling

Geographic identity—West vs South London—coupled with Palace’s periodic surprises against resource-rich Chelsea, gives the derby enduring intrigue beyond table position or recent form. Tactical evolution across eras—from Mourinho’s rigidity to Palace’s counter-punching years, then Chelsea’s pressing-possession swing, and Palace’s compact reboot post-2024—ensures the matchup is a live tactical laboratory. The trend line suggests a narrowing gap in single-match outcomes: while Chelsea’s historical advantage is significant, the draw pattern of 2024–2025 signals Palace’s capacity to turn the derby into low-scoring, tight affairs.

FAQs

What is the history of Chelsea vs Crystal Palace?

Chelsea and Crystal Palace have faced each other since the early 20th century, with Chelsea historically dominating the fixture. Their meetings have spanned league matches, FA Cup ties, and Premier League showdowns. Chelsea’s stronger squad depth and consistent presence in top competitions have given them the upper hand in most encounters.

What is the Chelsea vs Crystal Palace head-to-head record?

As of 2025, Chelsea has won the majority of games against Crystal Palace. The Blues have recorded over 35 Premier League wins against Palace, while Palace has only managed a handful of victories. The record shows a clear dominance by Chelsea, particularly in the modern Premier League era.

What happened in the most recent Chelsea vs Crystal Palace match?

In the 2024/25 Premier League season, Chelsea defeated Crystal Palace, continuing their dominance. Key highlights included goals from Chelsea’s attacking midfielders and Palace struggling to capitalize on chances. (Specific scorelines vary by matchday, but Chelsea remained unbeaten in recent meetings).

Why is Chelsea vs Crystal Palace considered an interesting fixture?

While not the fiercest London rivalry, it is a London derby. Fans enjoy the competitive atmosphere, especially with Palace’s passionate Selhurst Park support against Chelsea’s global profile. The contrast in club stature adds extra intrigue.

In Summary

The Chelsea vs Crystal Palace rivalry may not carry the same weight as other London derbies, but it has grown into a fixture that fans look forward to every season. Chelsea’s dominance in the head-to-head timeline reflects their success as one of England’s elite clubs, while Crystal Palace bring passion, unpredictability, and a desire to upset the odds.

From historic Premier League wins to dramatic FA Cup showdowns, this matchup highlights the contrast between a trophy-laden Chelsea and a hungry, resilient Palace side. For supporters, every meeting adds a new chapter to the timeline — and with both clubs investing in exciting young talent, the future of this London derby promises even more drama and memorable moments.

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