What’s the take on Olise? At his age it seems very odd to be out this long with a back injury. Backs are funny things. I really hope this is not an ongoing problem. But I’m concerned.

That isn't the team that started today. It may have escaped your attention but we're already competing for premier league points.

Even if it were you've no idea whether Olise is going to cut it and we already know Riedewald isn't good enough and Schlupp is average. Then you've got subs and alternatives that may change the game ? where are they ? Mateta as an alternative to an untrustworthy Benteke is a joke and I don't see any crosses coming from that team which is apparently all we need to do to get he best from Benteke.

Also there's a player there called New who we haven't signed and that was precisely my point.

Does anyone else think that Guita was a big part of the blame for all 3 goals?

That seems a bit harsh.

The first goal, I thought he gave Alonso too much of the right side of the net. I think the left side is a more difficult shot to make from there. Maybe he thought the wall was protecting the right, but before the kick was being taken, it looked obvious to me that Alonso would be going for the right corner. It was a nice shot, but looked a little bad that the wall didn't jump, and VG didn't move. It looked a bit too easy, but even if Palace did everything perfectly, it still would have likely gone in. That goal is Mitchell's fault more than VG.

Second goal, ideally Vince would have caught it, but that's a tough play, and he had a Chelsea player flying right in front of him.

Third goal, I didn't see it, but on the radio, the announcers were screaming about what an amazing goal it was.

If Butland was playing, I don't think it would have been much different. But Butland is decent, I'm ok with giving him some games, and having a bit of a competition. It would keep both keepers sharp.

2017 Feb. (Van Aanholt) Palace 1 - 0 Middlesboro
2018 Jan. (Sako) Palace 1 - 0 Burnley
2019 May (Batshuayi, Batshuayi, OG, Van Aanholt, Townsend) Palace 5 - 3 Bournemouth
2020 Feb. (Van Aanholt) Palace 1 - 0 Newcastle

With Benteke and Andersen apparently not ready for a 90 min stint and Gallagher unavailable against his parent club, today was always going to be mission virtually impossible, fielding as we did just one new signing in a team that got thrashed by Chelsea 8-1 on aggregate last season.

It was interesting to hear Vieira say afterwards that he hadn't learned anything new from this game just confirmation of what he and DF already knew, i.e. where we were weakest and where we need to recruit during the remainder of this window. He mentioned targetting 2 positions.

We should have a stronger team next week and with Andersen and Guehi in the CB roles (presumably) we should be stronger defensively.

Let's give PV and the team a right royal welcome next Saturday and get behind the lads like our fans at the Bridge did today.

Yes. I think he was very poor today. 1st was a good free kick but wasn’t in the corner and not even making an effort to dive just looks s***.

2nd goal was a shocker. Should never push the ball out into the middle of the penalty area no matter what kind of cross comes in. No complaints with the 3rd.