Estêvão Willian delivered a stunning performance as Chelsea secured a 3-1 victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday, ending a run of five Premier League matches without an away win. The Brazilian teenager scored the opening goal and set up another before being substituted to a standing ovation.
Liam Rosenior's side moved up to fifth place, extending their unbeaten start under the new head coach. Palace, meanwhile, stretched their winless run against Chelsea in the league to 17 matches and have now gone 11 games without a victory in all competitions.
Estêvão opened the scoring after a defensive error from fellow teenager Jaydee Canvot, who underhit a back-pass. The 18-year-old winger then set up João Pedro for Chelsea's second early in the second half. Enzo Fernández added a third from the penalty spot before Chris Richards pulled one back for Palace.
Palace's afternoon worsened when Adam Wharton was shown a red card. Manager Oliver Glasner insisted his side must stick together despite their slide, saying: "We are in transition and there are going to be some tough periods."
Rosenior praised the Chelsea supporters who serenaded him at full-time. "I hope so," he said when asked if fans were accepting him. "It's two-way – I have to earn that."
