If this was a taste of what life on the road under Liam Rosenior might be like for Chelsea fans, then anyone who doubted his appointment may have to think again.
A brilliant performance from Estêvão Willian, who scored the first after a mistake from his fellow teenager Jaydee Canvot before setting up João Pedro for the second, inspired Chelsea to end a run of five Premier League games without an away win at their new head coach’s first attempt, as they piled on the misery for Crystal Palace, who also had Adam Wharton sent off.
A controversial penalty from Enzo Fernández compounded a terrible afternoon for Canvot – the 19‑year‑old tasked with replacing Marc Guéhi after the former captain was sold to Manchester City – as Oliver Glasner’s side stretched their winless run against Chelsea in the Premier League to 17 matches.
It is now also 11 games without a victory in all competitions for the FA Cup winners of last season, despite a late consolation from Chris Richards, with Palace looking nervously over their shoulders and wondering where the next points are coming from before trips to Nottingham Forest and their arch-rivals Brighton.
For Rosenior, whose side have moved up into fifth place and are unbeaten in the Premier League since he succeeded Enzo Maresca at the start of this month, things are looking much more rosy – especially with the mercurial talent that is Estêvão at his disposal.
The Brazilian was given a standing ovation when withdrawn 16 minutes from time with the points firmly in the bag, while Rosenior was also serenaded at the final whistle.
When asked if the Chelsea supporters are starting to accept him, Rosenoir said: “I hope so. I’m very happy to be here. But it’s two-way – I have to earn that and I hope over time they will see that something good might happen here.”
Glasner was given a hearty reception when he emerged before kick‑off in Palace’s first home match since announcing he would leave at the end of the season. Any ill-feeling towards Jean-Philippe Mateta was also put aside by most until he was substituted late on after a week when the France striker also made no secret of his desire for a new challenge.
There had been familiar groans when Mateta failed to capitalise on Benoît Badiashile’s error early on. It was the sort of chance that the 28‑year-old should be taking if he has aspirations to play at the World Cup and proved to be a turning point on an afternoon when his side really could have done with a victory.
“We are in transition and there are going to be some tough periods,” said Glasner, who insisted he is not concerned that his side are only eight points clear of the bottom three. “But what characterises Crystal Palace and our fans is that we always stick together. That’s why it’s important to remember what JP has brought to the club. It would be unfair to blame him. Now is a moment to support everyone.”
Chelsea had to make do without Cole Palmer because of a minor thigh problem, although the England forward is expected to be fit for the crucial Champions League game at Napoli on Wednesday. Ably supported by Fernández, Estêvão stepped into Palmer’s shoes seamlessly and the visitors should have gone ahead when the former fired over from inside the area after João Pedro failed to connect with Marc Cucurella’s cross.
Palace also went close when Ismaïla Sarr volleyed just wide after a long throw-in caused panic in the Chelsea box. Moisés Caicedo was fortunate to escape a second yellow card when he pulled back Sarr on the break and it seemed as if the hosts were building up a head of steam. Yet Canvot – who had played only a handful of games in Ligue 1 for Toulouse before joining Palace for £23m in the summer – showed his inexperience when he badly underhit a back-pass that was seized upon by Estêvão. Tyrick Mitchell did his best to catch up with the 18‑year‑old but he was able to create the angle to beat Henderson.
It could have been even worse for Palace by half-time if Estêvão had managed to hit the target when a poor cross from Chris Richards gave him another chance to stretch his legs.
The away supporters did not have to wait long to celebrate again after the restart. Mateta was dispossessed by the former Palace loanee Trevoh Chalobah and he was able to find João Pedro. He exchanged passes with Estêvão before leaving Wharton on his backside as he beat Henderson.
Rosenior punched the air in delight as Glasner looked to the heavens. His expression changed to surprise when Darren England opted to award Chelsea a penalty after João Pedro’s shot was blocked by the unfortunate Canvot’s arm. The video assistant referee ruled that because it had been accidental, there was no red card, but Canvot was replaced immediately anyway after Fernández slammed home from the spot.
Wharton was given his marching orders after flying into a challenge on Caicedo to pick up a second yellow in the space of six minutes. To their credit, Palace’s persistence was rewarded when Richards scrambled home from close range. But it was far too little, too late as their winless run goes on.
