Chelsea comes out of Selhurst Park with a ‘lucky’ win as Conor Gallagher scores a late winner against his former side.
Graham Potter’s era with Chelsea kickstarted in turbulent fashion as the Blues earned a hard-fought yet ‘lucky win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The away side found themselves in unwanted trouble early on as Patrick Vieira’s men started as the brighter side in this clash.
Odsonne Edouard found the back of the net in the early minutes as he slotted in Jordan Ayew’s teasing cross. The strike came against the run of play as Chelsea began the game threatening the opposition half. The home side looked like a well-drilled unit in the face of Chelsea’s quality-looking side.
Raheem Sterling went close by hitting the post from a Reece James cross, but that was the most clear-cut opening for some time to come. There was a moment when the home crowd called for a red card, but VAR thought a yellow was sufficient for Thiago Silva.
As a bonus for Chelsea, with Palace still bitter from the Silva decision, they found an equaliser through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Still, there were ramifications for the home side, who saw Nathaniel Clyne stretchered off with an injury.
?️ “It’s a fantastic finish. He’s a Chelsea player now and we’re delighted for him.”
Graham Potter on Conor Gallagher. ? pic.twitter.com/sLXThqA3KM
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 1, 2022
In the second period, Chelsea were slightly better than Palace, although clear-cut chances were far and few. In the end, Potter’s substitutions, particularly Conor Gallagher, made the difference. The former Palace midfielder was on hand to curl home a late winner to hand Chelsea all three points at the expense of his former side.
Here are the player ratings from Chelsea’s win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace
Vicente Guaita – 5/10
Guaita had a decent outing and seemed to be in control of balls coming into the box. However, he could do nothing about either of Chelsea’s goals, particularly the Gallagher winner, which was well away from his reach.
Nathaniel Clyne – 5/10
Clyne was good enough to contain Chelsea’s wide attackers, but the unfortunate injury ended his 400th club appearance. It looks like the right-back will be out for a considerable time with this injury.
Joel Ward – 6/10
Ward did well in an unfamiliar position, replacing Joachim Andersen in central defence. However, he cannot be faulted for his display, as his positioning was often apt in light of Chelsea’s dangerous attacks.
Marc Guehi – 6.5/10
With Andersen absent, the task was on Guehi’s shoulders to marshall the defence. It wasn’t an easy task by any means, but the defender was decent enough to contain any threat from Kai Havertz or Aubameyang.
Tyrick Mitchell – 4/10
It wasn’t the best of performances from the left-back, as there were plenty of lapses in Mitchell’s game. He did get away with most of them, but a more clinical side could have punished some.
Michael Olise – 7/10
Olise was placed in an indifferent midfield position to influence the game from deep. The decision to play him there was right, as Olise was one of the best Palace players on the pitch. His creative influence was evident on the field, as he used the ball well to build attacks.
Michael Olise's game by numbers vs. Chelsea:
60 touches
8 duels won
6x possession won
5 fouls won
4 passes into final ⅓
4 passes into opp. box
3 chances created
2 take-ons completed
1 tackle made
1 interceptionUnlucky to be on the losing side. ? pic.twitter.com/D8dD6d1Eor
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 1, 2022
Cheick Doucoure – 6.5/10
Doucoure continues to prove his efficiency on the pitch and is steadily becoming one of the most important players in Vieira’s system. He was all-action and made a penalty box block to keep the scoreline intact.
Eberechi Eze – 7/10
Like Olise, Eze was in a midfield position as Vieira went ultra attack with his selection. His passing was key to bringing the best out of the Palace front three, although he will be hoping the outcome should have been different.
Jordan Ayew – 6.5/10
Ayew was in his usual stride and imposed himself physically on the right wing. He did provide the assist for the opening goal and was active for the duration of his time on the pitch.
Odsonne Edouard – 6/10
Edouard justified his selection ahead of Jean-Philippe Mateta in the side and scored the opening goal with a brilliant finish. He should have done better or contributed more to the build-up in the final third but was limited in his actions.
Wilfried Zaha – 6/10
Giving the ball to Zaha will always create something for Palace, but that wasn’t the case today despite the winger threatening early on in the game.
Substitutes
James Tomkins – 6/10
Tomkins came on in place of Clyne late in the first half and slotted in central defence, allowing Ward to go back to right-back. The defender did a decent job and helped contain the Chelsea attack for as long as possible.
Jeffrey Schlupp – 6/10
Vieira wanted to bring in more energy in midfield, and Schlupp did a decent job but could not help Palace get another goal.
Jean-Philippe Mateta – N/A
He was sent in hoping to find another goal, but he barely had an impact since coming on.
Will Hughes – N/A
Chelsea
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6/10
After a shaky start to the game, the keeper found some rhythm to go with. He did make a sensational stop from Zaha’s shot, which may have been the game changer for Chelsea.
Reece James – 7/10
James was very active on the right flank and was an outlet to keep the ball afloat at times. He was instrumental in keeping Zaha quiet for many parts, which may have helped his team in the context of the result.
Thiago Silva – 6/10
Silva had a decent outing as there was more responsibility on the veteran following a switch to a back four. He was lucky not to get sent off for the sloppy clearance, which only ended up in a yellow.
Thiago Silva's game by numbers vs. Crystal Palace:
◉ Most touches
◉ Most passes
◉ Most long passes
◉ Most ball recoveries
◉ Most passes into final ⅓
◉ Most clearancesAn assist and a handball in there too. ? pic.twitter.com/rgytuYsnKg
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 1, 2022
Wesley Fofana – 6/10
Fofana seems to be steadily getting into the stride over at Chelsea, but it will take him some more time to get ready to be regular in this team.
Ben Chilwell – 4.5/10
For some reason, something was lacking in Chilwell’s game this afternoon. The full-back did not seem to be in his usual attacking stride but he put in a decent defensive performance.
Jorginho – 4/10
Jorginho continued with his struggling performances at Chelsea and lacked the usual edge with his passing. There’s a lot to be desired from such a player, and the Italian will hope to improve sooner rather than later.
Mateo Kovacic – 5/10
Like Jorginho, Kovacic was not fluid and struggled to find the rhythm. The Chelsea midfielders were not in control of the midfield area, often struggling to stay relevant.
Raheem Sterling – 5.5/10
Sterling constantly threatened Palace’s defence, but he could not convert chances when something came by. He remains a key figure in their attacking third, but improvements are needed and fast.
Kai Havertz – 4/10
A rather quiet game from Havertz, as Chelsea’s attacking third continues to struggle to stay relevant and score plenty of goals.
Mason Mount – 4/10
Once again, like other attackers, Mount lacked the edge to make a difference. He will have to find his place and role in Potter’s system quickly.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has arrived at Chelsea ? pic.twitter.com/EOUBz44Zji
— GOAL (@goal) October 1, 2022
Pierre-Emerick Aubayemang – 7/10
While the Chelsea attack struggled, they needed someone to make the most of whatever chances they got. Aubameyang was on hand to convert a somewhat half chance into an equaliser as he scored his first Premier League goal since departing Arsenal back in January.
Substitutes
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6/10
He added something missing from other Chelsea midfielders, which eventually helped the team secure three points in the game context.
Armando Borja – 5/10
Replaced Aubameyang and somewhat changed the dimension of Chelsea’s attack.
Gallagher's rocket to give Chelsea all three points at Selhurst ????pic.twitter.com/AcIWdMS1Hd
— George Addo Jnr (@addojunr) October 1, 2022
Conor Gallagher – 7/10
An indifferent moment for the England international, who finally made his mark for Chelsea with a brilliant winner at the expense of his former side.
Christian Pulisic – N/A
Not much of an impact since coming on, but a presence in the final third, nonetheless.
