Estevao Willian stepped up for Chelsea to deliver a match-winning performance in a rare Premier League start for the Blues.
With Cole Palmer absent from the squad to face Crystal Palace, Liam Rosenior was desperate for another of his attackers to step up and deliver the goods in front of goal.
Estevao did just this. The youngster opened the scoring in fine fashion in the first half, before providing the assist for Joao Pedro’s goal.
Estevao’s best game in a Chelsea shirt?
Sensational performance from the Brazilian…
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Chelsea fans had been crying out for more of the winger in the starting side under Enzo Maresca, and it looks as if those opportunities could be about to come under the new manager.
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - Premier League
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Estevao breaks 33-year Chelsea record vs Crystal Palace
Estevao’s quality often makes people forget just how young he is. The 18-year-old is doing things beyond his age.
It is this youthful factor which contributes to the fact that he is the youngest player since 1993 to score and assist in the same game for Chelsea, according to OptaJoe.
His record is only topped in the Premier League era by Neil Shipperley, who was around 100 days younger than Estevao when he completed the feat against Wimbledon.
The Brazil international was part of a record-breaking young Chelsea side which dominated Ajax earlier in the Champions League, and he will absolutely be in the thinking ahead of the crucial return to that competition.
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - Premier League
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Estevao must now start vs Napoli
Rosenior will not have long to celebrate his fourth victory in five games in charge, with the Blues making the trip to Italy this week for crucial Champions League action.
A win against Antonio Conte’s Napoli will almost certainly guarantee them a top eight spot, and Estevao has now forced himself into the conversation to start that game.
Pedro has impressed more than Liam Delap lately too, while there will always be space for Palmer if he is available for selection.
This could cause an issue for Pedro Neto, who has not found goal involvements easy to come by in recent games.
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