Chelsea Ride Palmer Absence to Beat 10-man Palace

At a glance

• Estevao Willian scores the opener, Joao Pedro adds the second
• Enzo Fernandez seals victory from the penalty spot
• Adam Wharton sent off but Chris Richards gets consolation goal
• PLAYER RATER

Estevao Willian replaced the injured Cole Palmer and inspired a comfortable win over Crystal Palace that moved Chelsea back into the Premier League’s top four.

Goals from Estevao, Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez earned the points at Selhurst Park, while Palace’s England midfielder Adam Wharton was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the space of six second‑half minutes.

Chris Richards headed in a consolation goal from close range late on.

Palace had looked the more likely to score first early in the match. Striker Jean‑Philippe Mateta, linked with Aston Villa and Juventus, went one‑on‑one with Robert Sanchez but hit his shot straight at the Chelsea goalkeeper.

Fernandez and Caicedo had efforts for Chelsea, with returning Palace winger Ismaila Sarr, fresh from winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, having an attempt at the other end before Estevao opened the scoring in the 34th minute.

He latched on to a poor back-pass from Jaydee Canvot, used his pace to escape marker Tyrick Mitchell and drove a firm shot past Dean Henderson.

The 18-year-old Brazilian had a further attempt before the interval – and after the break, he clipped a pass to forward Joao Pedro, who turned Palace midfielder Wharton, before shooting through Henderson to double the advantage.

After a lengthy check by the video assistant referee, Chelsea were then awarded a penalty – Joao Pedro’s goalbound effort having struck Canvot’s hand inside the box – and Fernandez converted.

Minutes after earning a first yellow card for pulling Caicedo, Wharton was late in a tackle, earned his second booking and was sent off.

It was a miserable afternoon for Palace despite Richards heading in from a corner in the 88th minute as they dropped from 13th to 15th, eight points above the relegation zone.

New Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has overseen back-to-back Premier League wins, the first time they have managed that since November, in his first two top-flight matches since replacing Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea leapfrogged Liverpool back into the top four, although they have played one game more than Manchester United, who travel to Arsenal later in the day.

Crystal Palace analysis: Time to look over the shoulder

Media caption,

These are tough moments & tough weeks for Palace – Glasner

Palace’s supporters began the afternoon by showing their backing for the team and manager Oliver Glasner. They will have ended it worrying about relegation.

Chairman Steve Parish was watching on as Glasner was cheered on to the pitch before kick-off. It was the manager’s first home match since announcing he will leave Palace when his contract expires in June.

Glasner had confirmed what many had long suspected, with his contract nearing its end and open criticisms of the south Londoners’ transfer policy dating back to midway through the summer window.

He complained when losing Eberechi Eze to Arsenal and Marc Guehi to Manchester City – sales that have brought Palace back down to earth after winning the FA Cup and qualifying for Europe at the end of last season.

Yet the atmosphere inside the stadium remained upbeat, with supporters getting behind their team regardless of the off‑field turmoil. There was little difference between the two teams in the first half but Chelsea took their first big chance – and Palace didn’t – and the visitors pressed home their advantage after half-time.

Palace striker Mateta, who wants to leave and has been linked with Aston Villa and Juventus, was the one who squandered their big chance. Meanwhile, Guehi’s replacement Canvot cost Palace with a poor backpass for the opener and a handball for the third.

Making matters worse, Wharton’s poor decisions led to a sending off, and he will now miss a key trip to Nottingham Forest, who sit just below Palace in the table.

Palace are without a win in eight league matches – 11 in all competitions – with only Burnley currently on a longer streak in the top flight. They should, therefore, be looking over their shoulder at Forest and West Ham, the latter having won their past two home games, in an increasingly competitive battle to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Chelsea analysis: Estevao delivers X-factor

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Chelsea ‘outstanding’ & ‘very professional’ in Palace win – Rosenior

Estevao delivered Chelsea’s X-factor with Palmer unavailable because of a thigh injury.

As the England man’s season continues to be blighted by injuries, the Brazilian teen sensation who joined from Palmeiras in the summer has often looked capable of covering his absence.

Quick, technically gifted and able to both score and assist, Estevao can deliver a lot of what Palmer is famed for doing.

His 34th-minute goal owed to his alertness, speed and then quality to put a shot past Henderson while under pressure from Mitchell.

Estevao was then involved in a classy one-two with his compatriot Joao Pedro, opened up the space, as he clipped a ball in behind for his more senior forward to add a second.

He then went one-on-one with Canvot to hit another shot on target, while his cross to Joao Pedro ultimately led to the penalty that put Chelsea 3-0 up, and easing to victory.

There is still plenty for Estevao to learn, and he has at times looked hot-headed when matches haven’t gone Chelsea’s way, or when he has received rough treatment from defenders.

Estevao, still not 19 until April, has also been on an 11-game goal Premier League drought, albeit with the majority of those appearances coming from the bench.

Yet he has produced goals – one against Liverpool and three in the Champions League, including a sensational strike against Barcelona, and now another against Palace. It shows Chelsea have one of world football’s top talents on their hands.

What’s next for both sides?

Crystal Palace travel to face Nottingham Forest next Sunday in the Premier League (14:00 GMT).

Chelsea next face a trip to Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday (20:00 GMT). They return to Premier League action when West Ham visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday (17:30 GMT).

Average rating8.37

Source: BBC