In an eventful first half, Chelsea found themselves on the back foot as Crystal Palace demonstrated their attacking potential and took the lead through Jefferson Lerma's sensational strike. Despite enjoying the lion's share of possession, Chelsea failed to convert their dominance into goals, leaving them with plenty to ponder during the halftime break.

The match began with Chelsea dictating the tempo, with Palace finding it difficult to contain their attacking prowess. However, it was Lerma who stole the limelight with a thunderous strike from outside the box, leaving Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy with no chance.

While Chelsea's possession-based style looked promising on paper, their lack of decisiveness in the final third became apparent. The likes of Enzo Fernandez, who has faced criticism for his lackluster performances, failed to make a significant impact on the game. Fans questioned whether the young player justified his hefty price tag, expecting more flair and dominance from him.

Meanwhile, frustrations grew as Chelsea players struggled to break down Palace's resolute defense. Michael Oliver, the referee, faced technical issues during the first half, leading to a brief delay. Ben Chilwell took advantage of the situation to have a discussion with the official, perhaps trying to highlight some concerns.

Fans vocalized their displeasure with the refereeing decisions, particularly regarding Lerma's goal, which some believed was a foul on Palace's Caicedo by Jefferson Lerma. The ambiguity around VAR's decision-making process added fuel to the frustration, as spectators lamented the inconsistency and madness of refereeing in English football.

Criticism was also directed towards the tactical approach of Palace manager Mauricio Pochettino. Some fans felt that the team's attacking players were not given enough freedom to make dynamic runs, resulting in a static offensive unit that failed to trouble Chelsea's defense.

While some observers expressed their concerns over Chelsea's managerial situation, with speculation that current coach Thomas Tuchel might be replaced, others argued that giving Pochettino more time would be more beneficial for the team. The lack of cohesion within the squad, combined with the departure of key players, has left Chelsea in a precarious state.

As the first half drew to a close, Chelsea had a couple of near misses, with Conor Gallagher coming close on one occasion. However, their wastefulness in front of goal was evident, leaving the team with an urgent need for change in the second half.

With Palace showcasing their attacking potential on the counter and continuing to pose a threat, Chelsea must regroup quickly during the halftime break and make tactical adjustments to turn their possession into goals. The second half promises to be an intriguing battle as both teams strive to claim victory in what has been an engrossing match so far.