- Safiu Kehinde
Chelsea have again earned bragging right on London derbies as they cruised past 10-Man Crystal Palace in 3-1 win.
Coming straight off their UEFA Champions League victory against Pafos last week, the Blues travelled to Selhurst Park on Sunday evening for another Premier League showdown.
Chelsea however endured a shaky start that saw them nearly conceding in the first 10 minutes after Jean-Philippe Mateta found himself in a one-on-one situation against the Blues’ goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez.
Mateta was however denied the goalscoring chance by the visitors’ goalkeeper.
Chelsea who are still adapting to life under new manager, Liam Rosenior, managed to take the lead courtesy Brazilian wonderkid, Estevao Willian.
The 18-year-old had snatched a loose back pass from Crystal Palace defender to put Chelsea into the lead before the end of halftime.
Willian would turn goal provider barely five minutes into the second half as his lob pass put fellow Brazilian Joao Pedro in a goal scoring position.
The former Brighton man put the ball past Crystal Palace goalkeeper, Dean Henderson, to double Chelsea’s lead.
The home team appeared unable to contain the attacking threat of the FIFA Club World Champion as they were forced to concede a third from a spot kick after Jaydee Canvot handled the ball in the box 18.
Following a check by the Video Assistant Referee, Chelsea was awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute with Enzo Fernandez stepping up to take it.
Fernandez put the ball beyond the reach of Henderson to make it 3-0 for Chelsea.
Things would further get complicated for Oliver Glasner’s side as Adam Wharton picked a second yellow card, reducing Crystal Palace to 10 men in the 73rd minute.
The home team however managed to get a consolation goal courtesy Chris Richards’ header.
The defender had latched on a rebound from a corner kick scramble to reduce the goal deficit.
With no further goal from both sides, the game ended 3-1 as Chelsea secured all three points.
The win sees Chelsea return to the 4th position on the table with 37b points.