Match-winner Madueke insists Chelsea were worthy winners

 
 

Noni Madueke insists Chelsea deserved to beat Crystal Palace after the substitute's last-gasp penalty earned a 2-1 victory.

The Blues looked set for another frustrating evening at Stamford Bridge after missing a host of chances before the winger scored from the spot with one minute of normal time remaining.

Michael Olise had cancelled out Mykhailo Mudryk's 13th-minute opener on the stroke of half-time but Madueke came to the rescue after climbing off the bench. 

Speaking to Prime Video, he said: "It was a difficult game. 

"Credit to Crystal Palace, they played some good stuff and were difficult to break down. 

"But credit to us as well, we deserved it."

0_o5wnleblRead more: Last-gasp Madueke penalty earns priceless win

Madueke, 21, was brought on in the 71st minute and won the spot-kick after drawing a sloppy foul from Eberechi Eze inside the box.

He added: "It was a stonewall penalty. 

"I scored one earlier in the Carabao Cup and I was confident with my technique.

"You want to play all the time. You want to be able to make an impact like I did today when you come off the bench."

Palace had five shots on target compared to Chelsea's four and Eagles boss Roy Hodgson felt his side, who are just three points above the Premier League drop zone, deserved more from the game.

Hodgson, 76, said: "I was happy with that performance. I don't accept the carving of defences was purely Chelsea. 

"We had equally as many chances as Chelsea. We took the game to Chelsea for the bulk of the time in the second half.

"Of course, it's a concern [being just above relegation zone]. We aren't winning matches at the moment. 

"If we weren't showing the spirit we are showing, that would be more of a concern. It hurts that we are near the bottom of the table.

"I have always had optimism. We have to keep working. We lost 2-1 because there was a controversial penalty."

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