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 want to think again. A stunning individual performance from Estêvão, who scored the first after a mistake from fellow teenager Jaydee Canvot before setting up João Pedro for the second, inspired his side to end a run of five Premier League games without an away victory at the 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 captain Marc Guéhi after he 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 last season’s FA Cup winners despite a late consolation from Chris Richards, with Palace nervously looking over their shoulders and wondering where the next points are coming from with trips to Nottingham Forest and arch-rivals Brighton up next.
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For Rosenior, whose side now find themselves back in the top four and unbeaten 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. He was given a standing ovation when withdrawn 16 minutes from time with the points already firmly in the bag.
Palace’s new captain, England goalkeeper Dean Henderson, had recognised in his pre-match programme notes that they must “move on quickly” after Guéhi’s departure and Glasner was given a hearty reception when he emerged before kick-off. Any ill-feeling towards Jean-Philippe Mateta was also put aside by most until he was substituted late on after a week that the France striker made no secret of his desire to leave.
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There had been familiar groans when Mateta failed to capitalise on Benoît Badiashile’s error early on as Robert Sánchez was able to save with his left foot. 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 after the last couple of weeks. The chance had been created by Ismaïla Sarr and Palace at least looked a more dangerous side with the Senegal forward resuming his partnership down the right with Daniel Muñoz and could feel aggrieved to find themselves trailing at the break.
Chelsea had to make do without Cole Palmer due to a minor thigh issue, although the England forward is expected to be fit for the crucial meeting with Napoli on Wednesday. Estêvão stepped into his shoes seamlessly and the visitors should have gone ahead when Enzo Fernández fired over from inside the area after João Pedro failed to connect with Marc Cucurella’s cross before Moisés Caicedo shot wide from distance.
Palace also had gone close when Sarr volleyed just wide after a long throw-in caused panic in the Chelsea box. Moises Caicedo was fortunate to escape a second yellow card when he pulled back Sarr on the break and it seemed like the hosts were building up a head of steam.
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Yet Canvot – who had only played 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 at half-time if Esteêvão 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 going after the restart for another chance to celebrate. Mateta was dispossessed by former Palace loanee Trevoh Chalobah and he was able to find João Pedro, who exchanged passes with Estêvão before leaving Wharton on his backside as he beat Henderson. A delighted Rosenior punched the air in delight as Glasner looked to the heavens.
His expression changed to surprise when referee 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 their credit, Palace’s persistence was rewarded when Richards scrambled home from close range but, even with nine minutes of injury time, it was far too late to reverse the tide.