Chelsea eased to a 3-1 victory at Crystal Palace on Sunday with Liam Rosenior’s side clinical and full of confidence.
WATCH — Full match replay
Estevao put Chelsea ahead in the first half and then set up Joao Pedro to make it 2-0 early in the second half before Enzo Fernandez made it 3-0 from the penalty spot.
Adam Wharton was sent off with 20 minutes to go but Palace didn’t give up and USMNT center back Chris Richards grabbed a consolation goal.
With the win Chelsea move on to 37 points for the season. Palace stay on 28 and are sinking closer to the relegation zone.
Clinical Chelsea are feeling comfy
The vibes are good at Chelsea under Rosenior and even without Cole Palmer they were flowing and clinical in attack against Palace. With Caicedo and Andrey Santos together in midfield they have more control and look more solid. Yes, they gave up some big chances and Robert Sanchez had to make some big stops. But they’ve now won three games in a week and Chelsea look more relaxed and comfortable in how they’re playing. They are scoring at key moments in games and they have so much quality in attack with Joao Pedro, Estevao, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez all contributing and flowing forward as a unit. Of course Rosenior will want to stop opponents creating big chances against his Chelsea side but he will be delighted that so early on in his reign his side look so comfortable on the ball and in attack and have a newfound ruthless edge to their game.
What’s next?
Crystal Palace have a huge game at Nottingham Forest next Sunday, February 1. Chelsea have a massive midweek Champions League trip to Napoli and then host West Ham on Saturday, January 31.
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea score: 1-3
Richards 89'; Estevao 34', Joao Pedro 50', Fernandez 64'
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Chris Richards flicks home a header
After a massive scramble in the box the ball is flicked on and Chris Richards heads home.
Johnson misses a big chance
Brennan Johnson with a big chance but he drags it wide and now he’s been subbed off. Palace have missed some big chances today and that early miss from Mateta was key. If he scored that would have made this a totally different game.
Adam Wharton sent off
Wharton picks up his second yellow card of the game as he slides in on Caicedo. Palace down to 10 players with just under 20 minutes left.
Enzo Fernandez slots home the penalty kick calmly
What a penalty kick from Enzo as Dean Henderson has no chance and is rooted to the spot. 3-0 to Chelsea. Game over.
Big handball calls from Chelsea... and it’s a penalty!
VAR check for a potential penalty kick for Chelsea as Joao Pedro’s shot hits Canvot’s arm. The referee gives a penalty after a long check as he books Canvot for accidental handball.
Joao Pedro finishes superbly!
Joao Pedro plays a lovely give-and-go with Estevao and is away. He still has plenty to do but cuts inside Wharton and drills a low shot on goal which squirms through Henderson. It’s early in the second half and Chelsea are cruising.
Half time: Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
A very tight game with a couple of big chances for Palace, but Chelsea area ahead thanks to Estevao’s really well taken goal on the counter.
Estevao so close to a second on the break
A long ball forward sees Estevao played in again and he races clear but smashes his effort wide of the far post. Almost a carbon copy of his goal.
Estevao with a beauty on the counter!
Palace play a ball back and Estevao latches on to it. He has so much to do but runs from the halfway line, holds off Tyrick Mitchell and smashes home past Henderson. The teenager has Chelsea ahead.
Caicedo has to watch himself here...
He’s already on a yellow card and he’s just taken down Sarr. Chelsea really can’t afford yet another red card.
Sarr goes close!
A long throw from Palace is flicked on by Reece James towards his own goal and Sarr gets in front of Cucurella and Sanchez but flicks his shot wide. Another really good chance.
Caicedo fires wide
The ball is knocked down to the edge of the box and Moises Caicedo is there, but his effort flies wide. He was under pressure but that was another decent chance for a Chelsea midfielder.
Fernandez smashes over
Good play from Neto and Cucurella down the left and they set up Enzo Fernandez. His shot is over the bar from a good position. Decent chance for Chelsea.
Sanchez with a huge save to deny Mateta!
Badiashile gets caught on the ball and Mateta is clean through. He doesn’t look confident as he’s bearing down on goal and Robert Sanchez makes a really good save with his legs. Huge stop from the Chelsea goalkeeper but Palace should be ahead.
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Johnson
Chelsea
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo; Estevao, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro
Crystal Palace team news, focus
OUT: Nathaniel Clyne (groin), Eddie Nketiah (thigh), Daichi Kamada (hamstring), Caleb Kporha (back), Cheick Doucoure (knee), Rio Cardines (adductor) | QUESTIONABLE: Daniel Munoz (knee), Ismaila Sarr (international duty - AFCON)
Chelsea team news, focus
OUT: Tosin Adarabioyo (thigh), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Dario Essugo (thigh), Levi Colwill (torn ACL - MORE), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Filip Jorgensen (unspecified)
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea preview
The Eagles have claimed just two points from their past seven Premier League games and haven’t won a game in any competition since a Dec. 11 win at Shelbourne in the Conference League.
Their manager, Oliver Glasner, has announced that he’s leaving the team after the season, their captain’s been sold to Manchester City, and star forward Jean-Philippe Mateta is being linked with a move away from the club. Oh, and Glasner’s last post-game press conference had many thinking he could leave even earlier. Not ideal!
Chelsea are taking their first steps under the leadership of new manager Liam Rosenior, who oversaw a 2-0 win over Brentford on his Premier League debut. He’s also managed the club to an FA Cup third round win at Charlton Athletic, a 3-2 League Cup semifinal first leg loss versus Arsenal, and a too-close 1-0 win over Pafos in the UEFA Champions League. That most recent result was a win but didn’t earn the Blues style points from the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea prediction
Palace were fourth on December 7. They’re 13th now and likely feeling grateful the bottom three teams have hauled in so few points. There’s some talent there at Selhurst Park but who is steering the ship right now? Are the players with Glasner? Too many questions. Crystal Palace 0-2 Chelsea.
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday
Venue: Selhurst Park — South London
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch on USA Network
