Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea: Report, result and goals as Blues cruise to three points

Chelsea claimed a big 3-1 away win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park to keep themselves in the hunt for the Premier League’s top four places this season.

Palace started brightly and should have taken the lead inside the first ten minutes. Benoit Badiashile was caught in possession, allowing Jean-Philippe Mateta to run through on goal, but Robert Sanchez produced a strong save to bail out his defence.

That miss proved costly. Chelsea gradually settled into the contest and found the breakthrough in the 34th minute through Estevao.

Jaydee Canvot’s underhit back pass invited pressure, and the 18-year-old raced clear from halfway before finishing confidently past Dean Henderson.

Despite trailing at the break, Palace were still very much in the game. They had created several good chances in the first half, including opportunities for Ismaila Sarr and Mateta, but their lack of a clinical touch remained an issue.

Chelsea, by contrast, were efficient with limited chances, heading into half-time with a narrow advantage.

The match swung firmly in Chelsea’s favour shortly after the restart. Five minutes into the second half, Estevao combined neatly with Joao Pedro, whose low finish doubled the lead after cutting inside Adam Wharton.

Palace’s task became even harder soon after, when VAR awarded Chelsea a penalty for handball against Canvot.

Enzo Fernandez converted calmly to make it 3-0, before Wharton was sent off for a second bookable offence following a late challenge on Moises Caicedo.

Down to ten men, Palace continued to push forward and were rewarded with a late consolation. From a corner, Jefferson Lerma’s header was saved on the line by Sanchez, but Chris Richards reacted quickest to nod in on his 100th Palace appearance.

Any hopes of a late rally were short-lived, with Chelsea managing the closing stages comfortably despite some late pressure.