London derbies are never short on drama, but few expected the ferocious tempo with which Crystal Palace kickstarted their clash against Chelsea. Right from the first whistle, the Eagles surged forward with intent, eager to snap their dismal run and delight home fans. The pressure almost paid off instantly. In just the eighth minute, Jean-Philippe Mateta pounced on a rare defensive blunder by Benoit Badiashile, but Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez displayed superhuman reflexes to keep the visitors alive. As Chelsea’s backline scrambled, Ismaila Sarr also squandered a golden chance from close range. Palace’s attacking hunger was clear, but their cutting edge deserted them when it mattered most.
Costly errors and calm finishes: Chelsea strike on the counter
Persistence without precision is a risk in the Premier League, and Palace learned this the hard way. Despite multiple chances, they found themselves trailing after a costly individual mistake. In the 34th minute, Jaydee Canvot’s errant backpass gifted Chelsea’s Estevao a one-on-one with Dean Henderson.
The Brazilian dazzled with remarkable composure, slotting home his first league goal of the campaign and lifting a weight off Chelsea’s shoulders. Estevao’s poise in such a high-pressure moment stunned the Selhurst Park crowd, shifting the psychological momentum squarely in Chelsea’s favor as the teams headed for halftime.
Exploiting openings: swift blows seal the contest
Emerging with renewed confidence, Chelsea wasted no time asserting their dominance in the second half. Another swift move saw Estevao play architect, delivering a precise assist for his compatriot Joao Pedro to double the visitors’ advantage in the 50th minute. This strike not only showcased Chelsea’s razor-sharp transition play but also marked a personal landmark for both Brazilians. While Estevao became the youngest Chelsea player to record a goal and an assist in a Premier League match since Neil Shipperley in 1993, Joao Pedro’s tally of 12 goals and 16 goal involvements since arriving at Stamford Bridge in July 2025 stands unmatched among his peers.
Palace’s woes deepened just after the hour mark when Jaydee Canvot handled the ball in his own area following Pedro’s shot. Referee Darren England, after consulting VAR, pointed decisively to the penalty spot. Enzo Fernandez confidently converted, extending Chelsea’s lead to a commanding 3-0. Any flicker of Palace hope was snuffed out, and the day turned bleak as Adam Wharton’s reckless challenge on Moises Caicedo earned him a second yellow card and his first career red in his 125th senior appearance.
Numbers that tell the story: records broken and lessons learned
For the first time in their Premier League history, Crystal Palace endured a trifecta of misery—conceding three goals, gifting a penalty, and seeing red—all in a single match. It was an afternoon of harsh lessons, marking an unwelcome milestone for Oliver Glasner’s squad. Meanwhile, Estevao’s dual contribution as scorer and creator drew attention across Europe. He became the youngest Premier League player to achieve this feat since Evan Ferguson did so for Brighton at just 18 years and 76 days. It’s an early shout for the next big Brazilian superstar.
- Estevao (18y, 276d): Youngest Chelsea player with a goal and assist in a league match since 1993.
- Joao Pedro: Most goals (12) and goal involvements (16) for Chelsea in all competitions since July 2025.
- Adam Wharton: Red-carded for the first time in 125 senior appearances.