LATE CONOR GALLAGHER AND ENZO FERNANDEZ GOALS EASE PRESSURE ON MAURICIO POCHETTINO AS CRYSTAL PALACE 1-3 CHELSEA

Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez scored late goals to help Chelsea defeat Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park on Monday night. Jefferson Lerma’s goal put Chelsea down early in the second half and again at the end, but two goals from Gallagher gave the squad a decisive victory and relieved some of the growing pressure on Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino.

With two late goals, Chelsea defeated Crystal Palace’s valiant fight and won 3-1 at Selhurst Park thanks to a late comeback led by Connor Gallagher.

A quiet Chelsea had a difficult time defeating a disciplined Palace squad in the first half, as Roy Hodgson’s group mostly relied on counterattacks to create plenty of havoc.

Jefferson Lerma’s magnificent long-range goal gave Palace the lead at the half. However, Chelsea levelled shortly after the restart when an unmarked Gallagher scored superbly in the area, causing a delay during which referee Michael Oliver’s technical equipment was replaced.

And the much-improved visitors sealed the victory late on when Cole Palmer found Gallagher on the outside of the box to drive in his second goal, seizing a rare chance to catch Palace overstretched.

Enzo Fernandez coolly converted at the end of another late attack for Chelsea, adding more salt to the wounds as Palace fans poured out of the stadium.

Chelsea moves up into the top half of the Premier League as a result of the victory, while Palace stays in 15th place, five points above the drop zone.

TALKING POINT: HODGSON ROY IS DESERVED OF CREDIT

Crystal Palace’s strategy was simple: defend deep in their banks and strike Chelsea as soon as they could break.

However, Hodgson’s strategy came dangerously close to succeeding, as Jean-Philippe Mateta performed admirably at the top to guarantee that the counterattacking threat was always present.

Even without his two best players, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, Hodgson should get some credit for a performance that had offensive promise. Palace might have very well emerged from this game with something.

Player of the match: Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher

While Chelsea’s performance was far from historic, Gallagher was brilliant in the second half, controlling the game in his advanced centre midfield role.

And in the stadium he briefly called home a few years ago, the former Crystal Palace player proved to be the difference on the night, putting on two outstanding finishes to secure all three points.

RATINGS OF PLAYERS

The Crystal Palace lineup is as follows: Henderson 7, Muñoz 6, Andersen(C) 7, Richards 7, Mitchell 7, Lerma 8, Wharton 7, Ayew 7, Hughes 7, Matheus França 8, Mateta 8. Subs: Edouard 7, Ahamada 6.

Chelsea: Jackson 6, Gallagher 8, Madueke 5, Palmer 7, Caicedo 7, Fernández 7, Thiago Silva 6, Gusto 6, Disasi 7, Chilwell (C) 6. Nkunku 6, Sterling 7, Gilchrist 6, substitutes

MATCH SUMMARY

30′ – SCOPE! CHELSEA 1-0 CRYSTAL PALACE (LERMA)

What an amazing ambition that is! Mateta is immediately into the mixture during the Palace break, right in the middle of the action once more. Chelsea scythe it away, but Mitchell and Lerma give Palace the ball back, and the latter has enough room to set himself up for a long-range strike that rockets into the top corner. Palace is leading, and that is a real gem. 1-0!

47′: GOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE (GALLAGHER)

That was completed quickly! Chelsea rips apart Palace, packing the box with large numbers, and Gallagher meets a cross in space to score beautifully against the team he so brilliantly performed so well when on loan. 1-1

90′: SCOOT! CHELSEA 1-2 CRYSTAL PALACE (GALLAGHER)

Gallagher understood! Palmer does a great job lifting his head up on the right wing to find up Gallagher on the edge of the box. Gallagher flicks his shot home first time, virtually mimicking Lampard’s effort. Chelsea has a rare opportunity to break on Palace. Chelsea 2, 1!

94′: SCOOP! CHELSEA 1-3 CRYSTAL PALACE (ENZO)

That’s how the game works! Chelsea breaks as Palace players rush forward in an attempt to equalize. Palmer finds Enzo with the ball once more, and he sits him down before putting the keeper through his paces and scoring elegantly. The game is gone, 3-1.

Source:
https://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2023-2024/crystal-palace-v-chelsea-premier-league-live_sto10019452/story.shtml

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