Liam Rosenior’s new-look Chelsea side delivered a statement of intent at Selhurst Park on Sunday, dismantling a struggling Crystal Palace 3-1 to climb into the Premier League’s top four.
In a performance powered by the electrifying talent of 18-year-old Estevao, Chelsea not only secured their first league away win since November but also extended their unbeaten start under Rosenior to four matches.
The early narrative could have been different, as Palace squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead in the eighth minute. Chelsea defender Benoît Badiashile was caught dawdling, allowing Jean-Philippe Mateta a clear run on goal, only for the French striker to be denied by Robert Sánchez’s outstretched boot, a pivotal moment that proved to be a turning point in the match.
The hosts were left to rue that miss just after the half-hour mark when teenage defender Jaydee Canvot played a disastrously under-hit back-pass. Chelsea’s Brazilian wonderkid Estevao seized upon the error, outpaced a desperate Tyrick Mitchell, and finished with remarkable composure to open the scoring.
Chelsea asserted complete control after the interval. Just five minutes into the second half, a devastating counter-attack saw Estevao turn provider, floating a delightful chip over the top for compatriot João Pedro to race onto and fire through the legs of goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
The afternoon grew worse for the luckless Canvot shortly after the hour mark when his accidental handball blocked a goal-bound shot from João Pedro. After a lengthy VAR review, referee Darren England awarded a penalty, which Enzo Fernández converted with ease.
Any faint hope of a Palace comeback evaporated when midfielder Adam Wharton received his second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Moisés Caicedo, leaving his team to play the final 18 minutes with ten men. A late, scrambled header from Chris Richards offered only a consolation for the Eagles .
For Chelsea, the victory offers a significant boost in momentum under Rosenior, with the performance of Estevao a particular highlight. The Brazilian, who became the youngest Chelsea player to score and assist in a Premier League match since 1993, provided the decisive creative spark in the absence of the injured Cole Palmer.
The result moves Chelsea into fourth place, at least temporarily, while extending their unbeaten run against Palace to 17 league games.
Conversely, the defeat deepens the gloom over Selhurst Park, as Palace’s winless streak across all competitions stretched to 11 matches, the longest such run in the Premier League. Manager Oliver Glasner, already facing speculation over his future and the recent sale of captain Marc Guéhi, saw his side’s frustrations compounded by defensive errors and a red card, leaving the club mired in 15th place and nervously looking over their shoulder.