Chelsea continued their upward momentum under Liam Rosenior, climbing to fourth place in the Premier League table after an assured derby victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The hosts had an early chance to change the tone of the evening when Jean-Philippe Mateta found himself in a promising position, but the striker failed to capitalise. That miss proved costly, especially after Oliver Glasner’s side were reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Adam Wharton, a moment that shifted the balance decisively in Chelsea’s favour.

The breakthrough arrived courtesy of Chelsea’s new generation. Just 18 years old, Estevao pounced on a defensive error to score his first-ever Premier League goal, showing composure well beyond his years and setting the tone for the visitors.

Early in the second half, Chelsea doubled their advantage. Joao Pedro finished clinically past Dean Henderson, giving Palace a mountain to climb and underlining the visitors’ growing control of the match.

The result was put beyond doubt when Enzo Fernandez calmly converted from the penalty spot, capping off a dominant performance from the Blues.

2025-26, England - Premier League

Crystal Palace - Chelsea 1:3 (0:1)
Goals: Estêvão, 34 (0:1); João Pedro, 50 (0:2); Fernandez E., 64 (penalty) (0:3); Richards Chr., 88 (1:3)

Crystal Palace: Henderson D.; Muñoz D. (Riad Chadi, 76); Mitchell T. (Sosa B., 65); Lacroix M.; Canvot (Pino Y., 65); Richards Chr.; Sarr Is.; Lerma; Johnson B-n (Hughes W., 76); Wharton A. (till 72); Mateta (Uche, 85)
Substitution: Sosa B. (from 65); Pino Y. (from 65); Riad Chadi (from 76); Hughes W. (from 76); Uche (from 85)
Bench: Benitez W.; Rodney K.; Devenny
Yellow Cards: Wharton A. 67, 72; Lerma 90
Red cards: Wharton A. 72'

Chelsea: Sanchez Ro.; Badiashile B.; Chalobah; James R. (Hato, 81); Cucurella; Fernandez E.; Andrey Santos; Caicedo M. (Fofana W., 74); Estêvão (Bynoe-Gittens, 74); Pedro Neto (Gusto, 74); João Pedro (Delap, 85)
Substitution: Gusto (from 74); Fofana W. (from 74); Bynoe-Gittens (from 74); Hato (from 81); Delap (from 85)
Bench: Sharman-Lowe; Acheampong J. K.; Garnacho; Guiu Marc
Yellow Cards: Caicedo M. 20; Andrey Santos 90