Romelu Lukaku Sets Unwanted Record During Chelsea's Hard-Fought Win Over Crystal Palace

• Romelu Lukaku courted criticism with his woeful performance against Crystal Palace on Saturday, February 19
• The Belgian star struggled to make a meaningful impact during the tough encounter as he managed just seven touches
• However, according to Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel, his tactics were not to blame for Lukaku's struggles on the pitch
• The Blues eventually won the match by a solitary goal scored by Hakim Ziyech with just a minute left on the clock

Romelu Lukaku had a performance to forget vs Crystal Palace as he set an unwanted record.

Fresh from his FIFA Club World Cup heroics where he scored in both of the club's matches, the Belgian was drafted in the starting XI against Palace to lead the goal hunt.

However, the forward failed to replicate that form as he staged a woeful performance that left fans unimpressed.

The former Man United striker could manage just seven touches through the Saturday, February 19, encounter.

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Incredibly, the Belgium international could manage just two touches in the first half – with the other five in the second half.

Renowned stat Twitter account, Opta, revealed the surprising stat at the break, and Chelsea fans could not decide if it was Lukaku's fault or the lack of service to him.

Thomas Tuchel speaks on Lukaku's performances

Speaking after the clash, Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel sent Lukaku a pointed message on his performance, with the German denying his tactics were to blame for the striker's lethargic performance.

"Well it is what it is. But it is for him no change of system because it’s the same attacking structure," Tuchel noted.

"We always attack in a 4-1, it’s just for the build-up sometimes we build-up in a 3-2 and sometimes in a 4-1. For him it changed nothing," he added.

Meanwhile, Lukaku and co. had Hakim Ziyech to thank as the Moroccan's 89th-minute goal earned the Blues a vital win at Selhurst Park.