Chelsea's Rollercoaster Season: From Top-Four Push to Relief

If you had checked in with Chelsea supporters at different points last term, you’d have heard a range of forecasts. Early doors they looked sharp, fluid and ruthless, rattling in goals and hinting at a push beyond the top four. Then the gears ground a bit, confidence flickered, and the table tightened. By the run-in, though, they strung results together and got over the line in fourth – not glamorous, but job done and European nights secured.

For a spell, Chelsea’s front line moved the ball with zip, combinations clicked, and they looked capable of a top-three finish. The middle stretch exposed some soft spots: a dip in press intensity, sloppier transitions, and too many points leaked in games they had under control. Credit where it’s due – the closing weeks brought a practical streak. Results, rather than performances, became the currency, and fourth place was banked. The mood around Stamford Bridge settled into relief with a side of what-if.

Across the capital, Crystal Palace delivered a storyline few neutrals saw coming. They lifted the FA Cup, then backed it up by edging Liverpool in the Community Shield. Those moments mattered: a club famed for its atmosphere added tangible rewards to the noise. The league table, however, told a plainer tale – 12th place – a reminder that knockout highs don’t always map onto 38 games.

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Premier League Chelsea Crystal Palace FA Cup Community Shield

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