Chelsea returned to winning ways on the road with an impressive 3-1 victory over a struggling Crystal Palace side at Selhurst Park, a result that propels them back into the Premier League's coveted top four positions. The match was defined by a magnificent individual display from teenage sensation Estêvão, who opened the scoring before creating Chelsea's second goal, while defensive errors and a red card compounded a miserable afternoon for the hosts.
Estêvão Shines in Chelsea's Attacking Display
The young Brazilian forward, stepping into the shoes of the absent Cole Palmer, delivered a performance that will have Chelsea fans excited about the future under new manager Liam Rosenior. Estêvão broke the deadlock in the first half after capitalising on a catastrophic error from Palace defender Jaydee Canvot, showing composure beyond his years to round goalkeeper Dean Henderson and slot home.
Palace's Defensive Woes Continue
Crystal Palace's afternoon went from bad to worse when Estêvão turned provider after the interval, combining neatly with João Pedro who finished expertly to double Chelsea's advantage. The home side's misery was compounded when referee Darren England awarded Chelsea a controversial penalty after João Pedro's shot struck Canvot's arm, with Enzo Fernández converting emphatically from the spot to make it 3-0.
Palace's discipline completely unraveled when midfielder Adam Wharton received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Moises Caicedo, reducing the home side to ten men for the final stages. Despite a late consolation goal from defender Chris Richards, Palace could not mount a meaningful comeback and now face an anxious period looking over their shoulders in the league table.
Managerial Contrasts in Post-Match Analysis
For Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior, this victory represents a significant milestone in his early tenure at Stamford Bridge. His side remain unbeaten since he succeeded Enzo Maresca at the beginning of the month, with this away win ending a run of five Premier League matches without victory on their travels. Rosenior's tactical approach, particularly in unleashing Estêvão's creative talents, appears to be bearing immediate fruit.
In stark contrast, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner faces mounting pressure as his team's winless run against Chelsea in the Premier League extends to seventeen matches. The Eagles have now failed to win in their last eleven matches across all competitions, a concerning statistic for last season's FA Cup winners who must quickly address their defensive vulnerabilities.
Key Moments That Shaped the Match
The turning point arrived when teenage defender Jaydee Canvot, tasked with replacing the departed captain Marc Guéhi following his sale to Manchester City, horribly underhit a backpass that was intercepted by the alert Estêvão. This individual error proved costly against a Chelsea side growing in confidence under their new management.
Palace had earlier missed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Jean-Philippe Mateta failed to convert after Benoît Badiashile's defensive error, with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez making a crucial save. This missed chance proved pivotal as Chelsea gradually assumed control of the contest through Estêvão's brilliance and Palace's self-inflicted wounds.
Chelsea's midfield trio of Enzo Fernández, Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah dominated proceedings after establishing their lead, with Chalobah particularly influential against his former loan club. The visitors managed the game intelligently despite Caicedo's fortunate escape from a second yellow card in the first half, demonstrating the game management that has been lacking in recent away fixtures.
Looking Ahead for Both Clubs
Chelsea can now approach their crucial Champions League meeting with Napoli on Wednesday with renewed confidence, particularly with Cole Palmer expected to return from a minor thigh issue. The combination of Palmer and Estêvão in attacking positions presents Rosenior with exciting options as Chelsea pursue success on multiple fronts.
For Crystal Palace, the immediate future appears considerably bleaker with difficult away trips to Nottingham Forest and arch-rivals Brighton awaiting them. The defensive solidity that characterised their play under previous managers has evaporated, while their attacking players are struggling to convert the limited chances being created. Glasner must find solutions quickly to prevent their season from unraveling completely.
This comprehensive victory reinforces Chelsea's credentials as genuine top-four contenders while exposing the structural problems Crystal Palace must address to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle. The gulf in quality between the two sides was evident throughout, with Estêvão's emerging talent symbolising Chelsea's brighter future compared to Palace's current predicament.
