Conor Gallagher marked his return to Selhurst Park with a last-minute winner in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
Odsonne Edouard opened the scoring after seven minutes earlier than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised with a neat end late within the first half.
But it was finally the previous Palace loanee who had the ultimate say as he got here off the bench to twist in a Ninetieth-minute effort at hand Graham Potter victory in his first Premier League match in control of the Blues.
Chelsea entered the competition having gained all 10 of the final conferences between the 2 golf equipment, whereas Palace had been taking part in their first match in almost a month after the Queen’s dying and practice strikes postponed video games in opposition to Manchester United and Brighton.
Patrick Vieira made three modifications from the beginning XI that drew with Newcastle in early September and a type of selections rapidly paid off.
Edouard, who changed Jean-Philippe Mateta as Vieira’s central striker, met Jordan Ayew’s seventh-minute cross and lifted the ball previous Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the highest proper nook.
Chelsea had a very good probability to degree on the 20-minute mark when Mason Mount headed inches huge of the appropriate submit.
It was the beginning of a sustained interval of strain from the guests, who as soon as once more missed by inches after Raheem Sterling pounced on his personal rebound however watched his second effort ping off a submit.
And on the different finish, Eberechi Eze couldn’t discover the crowning glory on an try to double Palace’s benefit, firing the ball simply huge.
Palace had been livid when Jordan Ayew seemed via on aim solely to be stopped by an outstretched Thiago Silva on the bottom, however the defender was solely given a yellow card.
Silva’s presence on the pitch proved important moments later when Reece James discovered him on the fringe of the world and he nodded the move within the path of Aubameyang, who spun and fired previous a diving Vicente Guaita.
And it was extra dangerous information for the hosts when Nathaniel Clyne and Silva each rose to fulfill the ball to the left of Palace’s aim and the previous landed awkwardly. He stayed down till he was taken off the pitch on a stretcher and changed by James Tomkins, himself newly-returned from harm and obtainable to Vieira for the primary time this season.
Chelsea received their first probability of the second half 10 minutes after the restart, Sterling weaving round Palace shirts and trying to get a shot in earlier than passing to Ben Chilwell who skied his try.
With few alternatives for both facet because the second half ticked on, Guaita snagged a Mount cross from out of the air earlier than Tomkins blocked one other Blues try.
Michael Olise battled his marker earlier than issuing a pointy move to Wilfried Zaha who couldn’t beat Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa.
Gallagher was warmly acquired when he stepped on the Selhurst Park pitch within the 76th minute for the primary time since his mortgage spell as an Eagle, however any pleasant sentiment was rapidly forgotten when he curled within the decider.
Source: www.impartial.co.uk