Chelsea moved into the Champions League places with a 3-1 win over out-of-form Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Estevao’s opener on the breakaway set Liam Rosenior’s side on their way before Joao Pedro added a second early in the second half. Enzo Fernandez made it three from the spot after Jaydee Canvot’s accidental handball was spotted following a VAR review.
Adam Wharton’s red card ended any lingering hope of a comeback even though Chris Richards did pull one back late in the game to deny Robert Sanchez a clean sheet. Chelsea’s superior cutting edge made the difference as Palace’s poor form continues.
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Estevao gave Chelsea the lead
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Joao Pedro doubled Chelsea’s lead early in the second half
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Enzo Fernandez scored a penalty to put Chelsea 3-0 up
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Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton was shown a red card
How Chelsea won at Palace
In Oliver Glasner’s first return to Selhurst since announcing that he will be exiting at the end of the season and revealing that sense of feeling “abandoned” following the sale of captain Marc Guehi on the eve of the previous game, Palace actually started well.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, another plotting life beyond Palace, should have scored when Ismaila Sarr robbed Benoit Badiashile but Sanchez saved well with his feet. Canvot was not so fortunate at the other end, his mistake being punished by Estevao.
The 18-year-old Brazilian showed why there is such excitement about him, holding off Tyrick Mitchell’s challenge after seizing on Canvot’s wayward pass before lashing beyond Dean Henderson. It was Estevao’s first goal since scoring against Barcelona.
Pedro chopped inside to fire beyond Henderson for the second and there really was no way back when Canvot’s hand was adjudged to have stopped the player’s shot from heading in. Fernandez took the spot-kick duties in Cole Palmer’s absence.
Wharton’s red card for a silly challenge added to Palace’s woe and despite Richards’ late header, Glasner’s side are now on a run of 11 games without a win – eight points clear of the relegation zone. Rosenior’s Chelsea, however, are looking up.
Rosenior: Estevao outstanding
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior speaking about Estevao in the press conference:
“It says what we already know. He’s a player with special ability, special talent. He’s been ill and every time he’s been on the pitch with me so far, he’s been outstanding.
“But I feel, if you watch that goal, what makes me so happy is all 11 men are back behind the ball. That’s why he gets the space.
“I don’t want to talk too much about individuals; I thought it was a top team performance away from home; from Joao Pedro’s pressing, Pedro Neto and Estevao from the front, the two midfield players, and the defenders had to defend really well against the presence of Mateta.
“So Estevao, so happy with him, but so happy with the whole team.
“Today was a huge test. I changed the shape. It’s hard to explain; it’s like a semi-four, semi-five at the back, with Andrey Santos in between.
“For them to go and put on – from a tactical point of view – the performance they did, in two days, makes me very pleased because pretty much 95 per cent of the press, 95 per cent of the positioning was absolutely perfect.
“They are engaged, I think they are believing in what they are doing, but it’s one game. We have to make sure we’re consistent in every game we play.”
