CONOR GALLAGHER scored twice against his former club as Chelsea came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-1.
Chelsea skipper Gallagher had not scored in the Premier League this season but made it three from two after his strike in the FA Cup against Aston Villa last week.
Jefferson Lerma unleashed a thunderbolt to put Crystal Palace ahead in the first-half – it was also his first goal for the club.
After an awful first 45 the Blues hit back immediately after the break, Gallagher volleying home a Malo Gusto cross.
Gallagher then scored the vital goal bang on 90 minutes before Enzo Fernandez sealed the deal with a breakaway goal.
- Match result: Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea
- Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Andersen, Richards, Mitchell, Lerma, Wharton, Ayew, Hughes, Franca, Mateta.
- Chelsea XI: Petrovic, Gusto, Disasi, Chilwell, Caicedo, Enzo, Gallagher, Madueke, Jackson, Palmer.
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Victory papers over cracks for Blues
Chelsea still have a lot to work on to get to where they want to be.
Victories against sides in the bottom half of the table are much needed but the true test of the capabilities of this team will be when facing tougher opposition.
With games against Man City, Tottenham and Liverpool coming up Pochettino will want to see a lot more from his side.
Big win for Pochettino’s men
Mauricio Pochettino will breath a sigh of relief with that result.
The three points moves them up to tenth in the table, two points behind Newcastle in seventh spot.
Chelsea have a tough run of fixtures coming up over the next five games.
Conor comes back to haunt Palace
Conor Gallagher put in a man of the match performance with his second half brace for Chelsea.
The player who spent a season out on loan at Crystal Palace, had the last laugh at Selhurst Park.
You could see how much scoring meant to him as he celebrated wildly, despite his previous connections to The Eagles.
FT: Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea
A brace from Conor Gallagher takes The Blues to victory.
Enzo Fernandez added the icing to the cake deep into added time.
Pochettino will be pleased with his side’s second half display.
FT: Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea
The referee brings the game to an end with an away win.
Fortunately for Hodgson there are no boos from the home fans as they seem to have already gone home.
Cruel defeat for The Eagles, conceding so late on.
Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea
90+6. Chelsea continue to come forward looking for more.
The ball is played to Nkunku in the box who swivels and looks to get a shot away.
His effort deflects away for a corner with the home ends looking empty at Selhurst Park now.
Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea
90+4. As Palace send players forward trying to get an equaliser, they get caught out on the counter attack once again.
Palmer runs into acres of space before threading a ball into the path of Fernandez.
He lifts the ball into the net, beating Henderson at his near post.
Credit: Reuters Goal – Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)
Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea
90+2. Sterling sets Palmer away down the right wing.
He cuts inside and holds the ball up, waiting for some support and spots Gallagher just inside the box.
Gallagher hits the ball first time and into the bottom corner of the goal.
Goal – Conor Gallagher (Chelsea)
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
90. It is amazing how many free kicks are given for a player kicking the boot of an opponent.
Both sides are looking to find a late winner here.
Palace come forward but a loose pass gifts the ball back to the visitors to get on the counter attack.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
88. Chelsea look more disjointed in defence since the changes.
When Crystal Palace come forward, they look like they can get something out of The Blues.
We are almost at last chance saloon time now.
Credit: AFP Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
86. Eduoard strides forward and lays it into the path of Mateta.
Colwill is look to get to the ball before him but as the Palace striker looks to get to it first, he stands on the foot of the defender.
The referee awards The Blues a freekick.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
84. What a chance for Chelsea to win the game.
Palmer plays a sublime ball through The Eagles’ defence to Sterling.
He takes a touch before getting a shot away but takes too long on the ball and allows the Palace defence to close him down.
Eduoard comes on for Franca for the hosts.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
82. You would have to say that a goal for either side now wins this game.
It does not feel there would be enough time for a reply should Crystal Palace or Chelsea concede now.
Pochettino’s side look the more likely to get that winning goal.
View from SunSport’s Jack Rosser at Selhurst Park
Chelsea have such an array of attacking talent on the pitch, now joined by Sterling, but are still struggling open up big gaps to cause Palace real problems.
Those in front of the Eagles defence are working double time to keep it tight, with Wharton – on his full debut – particularly impressive.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
80. Ahamada comes on for Hughes.
Chelsea bring Sterling on for Jackson.
Both managers looking to freshen things up in the final stages of this game.
Credit: Reuters Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
78. As we enter the final fifteen minutes of the game, it is difficult to call a winner in this game.
Chelsea are still seeing more possession but The Eagles look dangerous on the break.
Palmer picks the ball up and runs into the box, checking onto his left foot and getting a shot away.
It is straight at Henderson and a routine save for the keeper.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
76. Chance for Crystal Palace.
Franca picks the ball up in the middle and strides towards goal.
As he gets near the edge of the box he fires off a shot but Petrovic is able to parry the ball back out.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
74. When Palace do venture forward, they seem to lack options in the box.
All too often crosses are easily cleared by the Chelsea defence.
Eduoard seems to be warming up on the touchline, maybe Roy Hodgson is thinking the same thing.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
72. Gusto is getting forward more in this half and linking up well with Palmer on the right flank.
His cross towards Nkunku sees Andersen tower over him and win the header.
Chelsea appeal for a penalty but the referee is not interested at all.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
70. Gallagher whips a ball into the box which finds Jackson.
His glancing header is not troubling the keeper or the goal.
Has to go down as a chance for the Chelsea forward.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
68. The one thing is with this Chelsea team, when the ball is played into them, they always seem to take a touch before looking to get the ball forward.
One touch football can open teams up, not something that Pochettino’s side seem to employ.
The game is finely poised now, a draw does neither team any favours.
Credit: Reuters Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
66. One thing is for sure, since the goal it would appear that somebody has put ten pence in the Chelsea fans.
On the other hand, the home fans have gone a bit quiet.
That is, apart from the constant drum being played.
I wonder who the first person was to decide that taking a drum or trumpet to a game was the way forward.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea
64. Palmer seems to be playing in a wider position now with Nkunku on the pitch.
He looks far more effective on the right wing and is seeing a lot more of the ball.
Palace counter and Lerma finds Ayew, looking to slot it in for Munoz.
The full back looks to cut it back from the byline but Petrovic collects.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
