Mali's Sako helps Crystal Palace beat EPL champions Chelsea

AP , Saturday 29 Aug 2015

Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace's Bacary Sako celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015 (AP)

Jose Mourinho endured another setback at the start of Chelsea's title defense as his 100th Premier League home game ended in a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

It was only the second time Mourinho's Chelsea has lost in the league at Stamford Bridge, leaving the champions eight points behind leader Manchester City.

For Palace manager Alan Pardew it was a third victory over Mourinho in less than two years, with the previous successes coming while in charge of Newcastle.

After winning at Chelsea for the first time since 1982, Palace has a five-point advantage on its London rival after four games.

Saturday's game came to life after Bakary Sako put Palace ahead in the 65th minute. Although Radamel Falcao leveled with his first Chelsea goal in the 79th, Palace was back in front inside two minutes through Joel Ward.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

Short link: