Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea: Conor Gallagher hits late winner to earn boss Graham Potter first victory - BBC Sport
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Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea: Conor Gallagher hits late winner to earn boss Graham Potter first victory

By Matt GaultBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments394

Thiago Silva receives a yellow card
Palace felt Thiago Silva should have been sent off for a deliberate handball five minutes before he set up Chelsea's equaliser

Conor Gallagher returned to Selhurst Park to haunt Crystal Palace with a stunning late winner to give Graham Potter a controversial first victory as Chelsea boss.

Substitute Gallagher, who impressed on loan at Palace last season, curled home a superb right-footed effort to snatch victory for Chelsea with his first goal for the club.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also scored his first Chelsea goal on his Premier League return after Odsonne Edouard had poked Palace into an early lead.

However, there was controversy surrounding Aubameyang's goal as it was set up by Thiago Silva, who Palace felt should have been sent off for a deliberate handball which denied Jordan Ayew a possible goalscoring opportunity.

Palace furious over Silva handball

Gallagher, whose impressive form for Palace last season earned him his England debut, was introduced by Potter in the 76th minute for Kai Havertz.

And with the game seemingly petering out for a draw, the 22-year-old midfielder nutmegged Jean-Philippe Mateta before curling a shot into Vicente Guaita's top corner.

However, while Gallagher returned to break Palace hearts, Eagles supporters will likely direct their ire towards the officials following the decision not to send Silva off.

Just after the half-hour mark, the Chelsea defender appeared to deliberately handle the ball after falling to the ground, denying Ayew a possible goalscoring opportunity.

Referee Chris Kavanagh showed the Brazilian a yellow card, which was upheld following a VAR check, much to the dismay of Palace boss Patrick Vieira - who was booked for his protests - and his players.

Palace's sense of injustice deepened when Silva headed James' long ball into the path of Aubameyang, who produced a smart finish on the half-volley to bring Chelsea level.

Because of the postponement of matches following the death of Queen Elizabeth II - for whom a minute's silence was observed before kick-off - and the international break, neither side had played a Premier League game since 3 September.

And while Chelsea looked settled in possession early on, Palace took the lead with their first attack. Edouard pounced on a loose Wesley Fofana pass and found Ayew on the right. The Ghanaian's dipping cross found Edouard, who stretched to poke the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

With their tails up, the home side - who lost Nathaniel Clyne to a serious-looking injury before half-time - immediately pressed for a second as Kepa turned Eberechi Eze's shot from distance around the post with the Palace attacker firing narrowly wide from the resultant corner.

Wilfried Zaha forced a sharp save from Kepa in the second half but Palace were unable to put the Chelsea defence under enough pressure, before Gallagher popped up to rub salt in the home side's wounds and get Potter off the mark as Blues boss.

Aubameyang celebrates with Silva
Aubameyang marked his Premier League return with a well-taken first-half equaliser for Chelsea

Player of the match

HavertzKai Havertz

with an average of 8.23

Crystal Palace

  1. Squad number22Player nameÉdouard
    Average rating

    6.16

  2. Squad number11Player nameZaha
    Average rating

    6.12

  3. Squad number10Player nameEze
    Average rating

    6.11

  4. Squad number9Player nameJ Ayew
    Average rating

    5.91

  5. Squad number7Player nameOlise
    Average rating

    5.89

  6. Squad number6Player nameGuéhi
    Average rating

    5.81

  7. Squad number2Player nameWard
    Average rating

    5.68

  8. Squad number13Player nameGuaita
    Average rating

    5.66

  9. Squad number3Player nameMitchell
    Average rating

    5.64

  10. Squad number28Player nameDoucouré
    Average rating

    5.59

  11. Squad number17Player nameClyne
    Average rating

    5.56

  12. Squad number15Player nameSchlupp
    Average rating

    5.44

  13. Squad number19Player nameHughes
    Average rating

    5.27

  14. Squad number5Player nameTomkins
    Average rating

    5.21

  15. Squad number14Player nameMateta
    Average rating

    5.02

Chelsea

  1. Squad number29Player nameHavertz
    Average rating

    8.23

  2. Squad number23Player nameGallagher
    Average rating

    7.42

  3. Squad number10Player namePulisic
    Average rating

    6.66

  4. Squad number24Player nameJames
    Average rating

    6.62

  5. Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva
    Average rating

    6.28

  6. Squad number21Player nameChilwell
    Average rating

    6.25

  7. Squad number9Player nameAubameyang
    Average rating

    6.23

  8. Squad number8Player nameKovacic
    Average rating

    6.08

  9. Squad number12Player nameLoftus-Cheek
    Average rating

    6.06

  10. Squad number1Player nameArrizabalaga
    Average rating

    6.02

  11. Squad number19Player nameMount
    Average rating

    5.90

  12. Squad number18Player nameBroja
    Average rating

    5.79

  13. Squad number17Player nameSterling
    Average rating

    5.76

  14. Squad number33Player nameFofana
    Average rating

    5.74

  15. Squad number5Player nameJorginho
    Average rating

    5.53

Line-ups

Crystal Palace

Formation 4-3-3

  • 13Guaita
  • 17ClyneSubstituted forTomkinsat 43'minutes
  • 2Ward
  • 6Guéhi
  • 3Mitchell
  • 7Olise
  • 28DoucouréSubstituted forHughesat 84'minutes
  • 10EzeSubstituted forSchluppat 74'minutes
  • 9J Ayew
  • 22ÉdouardBooked at 22minsSubstituted forMatetaat 84'minutes
  • 11Zaha

Substitutes

  • 4Milivojevic
  • 5Tomkins
  • 14Mateta
  • 15Schlupp
  • 19Hughes
  • 21Johnstone
  • 23Ebiowei
  • 44Riedewald
  • 45Gordon

Chelsea

Formation 4-2-2-2

  • 1Arrizabalaga
  • 24James
  • 33Fofana
  • 6Thiago SilvaBooked at 32mins
  • 21Chilwell
  • 8KovacicBooked at 88mins
  • 5JorginhoSubstituted forLoftus-Cheekat 56'minutes
  • 29HavertzSubstituted forGallagherat 76'minutes
  • 19MountBooked at 52minsSubstituted forPulisicat 84'minutes
  • 17Sterling
  • 9AubameyangSubstituted forBrojaat 75'minutes

Substitutes

  • 10Pulisic
  • 12Loftus-Cheek
  • 13Bettinelli
  • 14Chalobah
  • 18Broja
  • 22Ziyech
  • 23Gallagher
  • 26Koulibaly
  • 28Azpilicueta
Referee:
Chris Kavanagh
Attendance:
25,198

Match Stats

Home TeamCrystal PalaceAway TeamChelsea
Possession
Home36%
Away64%
Shots
Home7
Away13
Shots on Target
Home3
Away3
Corners
Home5
Away2
Fouls
Home11
Away13

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Crystal Palace 1, Chelsea 2.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Crystal Palace 1, Chelsea 2.

  3. Post update

    Foul by Raheem Sterling (Chelsea).

  4. Post update

    Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Ben Chilwell (Chelsea).

  6. Post update

    Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  7. Goal!

    Goal! Crystal Palace 1, Chelsea 2. Conor Gallagher (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Christian Pulisic.

  8. Post update

    Armando Broja (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  9. Post update

    Foul by Joel Ward (Crystal Palace).

  10. Booking

    Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  11. Post update

    Foul by Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea).

  12. Post update

    Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  13. Post update

    Attempt missed. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Michael Olise with a cross following a corner.

  14. Post update

    Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

  15. Post update

    Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Raheem Sterling.

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Crystal Palace. Will Hughes replaces Cheick Oumar Doucouré.

  17. Substitution

    Substitution, Chelsea. Christian Pulisic replaces Mason Mount.

  18. Substitution

    Substitution, Crystal Palace. Jean-Philippe Mateta replaces Odsonne Édouard.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea).

  20. Post update

    Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.

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Comments

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394 comments

  • Comment posted by NSM, at 17:13 1 Oct 2022

    Gallagher throughly deserves his chance, great goal and respect to the CP fans for his ovation.

    • Reply posted by in5wknaa, at 17:36 1 Oct 2022

      in5wknaa replied:
      Yeah fair play to them, always had a lot of respect for Palace fans, they do the south proud

  • Comment posted by GerryS, at 17:16 1 Oct 2022

    Great derby match…full of everything…draw would have been fair…but credit to Connor…great strike. No hard feelings, as he also scored some great goals for us last season…

    • Reply posted by big G, at 18:14 1 Oct 2022

      big G replied:
      Top comment Gerry 👍

  • Comment posted by Blue Andy, at 17:35 1 Oct 2022

    That goal is going to do so much for Conor Gallagher. He's been a bit subdued since returning to The Bridge but now he's going to feel that he's not out of place and can make a difference.

    • Reply posted by hiphopanonymous, at 19:18 1 Oct 2022

      hiphopanonymous replied:
      Yeah.
      He's got a coach that can coach.
      Not a manager that if he's deemed not good enough will just go and buy another midfielder for £60m.

  • Comment posted by Acky66, at 17:10 1 Oct 2022

    Not easy to get 3 points at Palace. Just need to string some results together now and build some confidence and momentum.

    • Reply posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 17:14 1 Oct 2022

      liverpool supporter right here replied:
      Still not getting those clean sheets. But if Chelsea outscore the opposition then it is fine

  • Comment posted by zyder, at 17:23 1 Oct 2022

    VAR is pointless. Today Chelsea we’re lucky, a couple of weeks ago it went against them( spurs hair pull). All it brings is more frustration to the game, at least pre VAR managers accepted(sometimes eventually)human error made by the officials on the pitch at the time. No excuse for multiple officials, tv replays from every angle and plenty of time to make an informed decision.

    • Reply posted by Spanish Costas, at 17:29 1 Oct 2022

      Spanish Costas replied:
      And still get it wrong in most people eyes.. If that was a Palace player doing what Thiago did every Chelsea fan would be complaining. It´s a Red.. To add insult to injury not only did Thiago assist the goal but we got a player carried off challenging him.. It´s a disgrace...

  • Comment posted by Bruce, at 17:24 1 Oct 2022

    Chelsea fan: palace were unlucky. We didn’t deserve to win. Jorghino too slow. Start Loftis Cheek. Give Potter a chance. #selljorghino

    • Reply posted by ChelseaLakers, at 17:32 1 Oct 2022

      ChelseaLakers replied:
      How were Palace unlucky with 36% possession and 7 to 13 shots? I totally agree with you about J5 though, and Mount and Havertz need to be shown where the goal is.

  • Comment posted by The DOOG, at 17:35 1 Oct 2022

    What a superb player Gallagher is about time he was given a chance. He had a great game for the England U21s. Would he fit into Southgates plans. Of course he would. Will Southgate take him to the WC? In my opinion doubtful.

    • Reply posted by gaz, at 19:08 1 Oct 2022

      gaz replied:
      Phillips out so yes +Ruben has more chance under potter to go too

  • Comment posted by blue_ric, at 17:13 1 Oct 2022

    Well done Chelsea ✔️ Good start now let's go again against AC Milan

    • Reply posted by TheNightmanCometh, at 17:37 1 Oct 2022

      TheNightmanCometh replied:
      Not sure they read these comments, sorry to tell you.

  • Comment posted by Keerydickins, at 17:40 1 Oct 2022

    Fantastic result up the Chels

  • Comment posted by Thereturnoftheghost, at 17:23 1 Oct 2022

    What a strike by conor and we'll done for not celebrating it in front of the Palace fans. Palace deserved a point but win some lose some as they say

    👻

    • Reply posted by LondonsFinestClub, at 17:44 1 Oct 2022

      LondonsFinestClub replied:
      Not celebrating the goal was good manners and I respect that.

  • Comment posted by Richard, at 17:42 1 Oct 2022

    They some things are written in the stars. Well Connor coming of the bench to grab a winner against Palace was right up ther, on that front. Wish I had a few quid on it TBH. Up to 5th now & a long way to go yet. Plus Potter's 1st prem game in charge, so starting off with a win is always nice, both for him & Chelsea. So lets see how he gets on over the next few games & gets to know the team better.

    • Reply posted by gaz, at 19:06 1 Oct 2022

      gaz replied:
      Am sure Connor and Ruben will have more chance of going to the world cup with Potter in charge, especially with Phillips out - More grit for chelsea too!

  • Comment posted by Leo, at 17:08 1 Oct 2022

    The noise will be all about Thiago Silva from the sheep!
    But a great goal by Gallagher and a first win for Potter,

    • Reply posted by Rico, at 17:10 1 Oct 2022

      Rico replied:
      The sheep?

  • Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 22:17 1 Oct 2022

    Congratulations to Graham Potter on 1st Chelsea win..Congratulations and well done CG fantastic goal,congratulations Aubameyang on 1st Chelsea goal..

    Respect to the CP support for the standing ovation for CG you could see that it meant a lot to Gallagher.. Chelsea has a real talent on it's hands..

    Good result,good weekend for ALL of the Chelsea faithful.. KTBFFH..

  • Comment posted by sunshineeagle, at 17:12 1 Oct 2022

    You couldn't write the script.
    Great goal by Gallagher.
    But game could of gone either way.

    • Reply posted by TheNightmanCometh, at 17:40 1 Oct 2022

      TheNightmanCometh replied:
      You probably could write that, surely? An ex-Palace loanee coming back to score the winner right at the end would be a very obvious script to write.

  • Comment posted by dave h, at 18:18 1 Oct 2022

    Good to be back watching football, but the old nonsense goes on. The ref was poor (again) today. I don’t see a red for Thiago, but I do see one for persistent professional fouls from Kovacic.
    Chelsea very much off the pace in the second half but a great goal from Gallagher and the Aubamayang equaliser made the difference.
    Palace very unlucky.

  • Comment posted by pauld, at 18:26 1 Oct 2022

    it wasn’t a clear red for silva as he was clearly fouled. No idea why it wasn’t given

    • Reply posted by Murder on Varanes Floor, at 18:43 1 Oct 2022

      Murder on Varanes Floor replied:
      It’s only a foul if the ref says it is! No clearer Red this season

  • Comment posted by Hindsight if only, at 17:52 1 Oct 2022

    Potter take note get Kante, Kovacic and Gallagher in the middle and away we go, sell Jorginho he slows us down.

    • Reply posted by dave h, at 14:08 2 Oct 2022

      dave h replied:
      Really - Kovacic? All he seems to do is foul. Should’ve been sent off for persistent professional fouls.

  • Comment posted by Thereturnoftheghost, at 00:16 2 Oct 2022

    It was a foul on thiago that's why he grabbed the ball but the ref was so poor and not giving anything to Chelsea this incident shouldn't have even been an issue.

    • Reply posted by Jerome M, at 10:08 2 Oct 2022

      Jerome M replied:
      A foul??? You're allowed to physically challenge for the ball. Its a red all day long & you know it.

  • Comment posted by CremantduIsleworth, at 17:12 1 Oct 2022

    Conor, how could you.....

  • Comment posted by Humble Chelsea Fan, at 17:07 1 Oct 2022

    chelsea winning at the toughest away fixture of the season while liverpool bottle an easy win at home. u love to see it

    • Reply posted by see you next wednesday, at 17:08 1 Oct 2022

      see you next wednesday replied:
      Luckily winning, you mean.

      Bad luck, Palace :(