• CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Vicente Guaita – 6 Looked comfortable between the posts, except when it mattered most. He could do little to stop Gallagher’s stunning effort in stoppage time. AP
    CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Vicente Guaita – 6 Looked comfortable between the posts, except when it mattered most. He could do little to stop Gallagher’s stunning effort in stoppage time. AP
  • Nathaniel Clyne – 6 His afternoon came to a premature end after he was stretched off having rolled his ankle in the build-up to Chelsea’s equaliser. Getty
    Nathaniel Clyne – 6 His afternoon came to a premature end after he was stretched off having rolled his ankle in the build-up to Chelsea’s equaliser. Getty
  • Joel Ward – 6 Filled in at centre back well before moving to the right following Clyne’s injury. In a bizarre incident, Ward was penalised for a back pass, and an indirect free-kick was given. Luckily for him, Mount was unable to find the target. AP
    Joel Ward – 6 Filled in at centre back well before moving to the right following Clyne’s injury. In a bizarre incident, Ward was penalised for a back pass, and an indirect free-kick was given. Luckily for him, Mount was unable to find the target. AP
  • Marc Guehi – 7 Solid on his 50th appearance for Palace, Guehi was confident thoughout, making several crucial challenges and blocks to deny the visitors. Getty
    Marc Guehi – 7 Solid on his 50th appearance for Palace, Guehi was confident thoughout, making several crucial challenges and blocks to deny the visitors. Getty
  • Tyrick Mitchell – 5 Chelsea found freedom on Mitchell’s flank, and he was rescued from danger on one occasion by Tomkins when Sterling got the better of him in the second half. PA
    Tyrick Mitchell – 5 Chelsea found freedom on Mitchell’s flank, and he was rescued from danger on one occasion by Tomkins when Sterling got the better of him in the second half. PA
  • Eberechi Eze – 7 Palace’s most dangerous asset in the first half. Eze forced Kepa to push wide a low attempt from the outside of the box in the early minutes, and he saw a shot from a corner go narrowly wide seconds later. AP
    Eberechi Eze – 7 Palace’s most dangerous asset in the first half. Eze forced Kepa to push wide a low attempt from the outside of the box in the early minutes, and he saw a shot from a corner go narrowly wide seconds later. AP
  • Cheick Doucoure – 6 Tasked with holding the fort, with Eze and Olise alongside him given freedom to get forward. AP
    Cheick Doucoure – 6 Tasked with holding the fort, with Eze and Olise alongside him given freedom to get forward. AP
  • Michael Olise – 6 Offered Palace an attack route from midfield to break Chelsea’s play. He displayed some particularly brilliant footwork to deceive Mount and force Silva into clearing. AFP
    Michael Olise – 6 Offered Palace an attack route from midfield to break Chelsea’s play. He displayed some particularly brilliant footwork to deceive Mount and force Silva into clearing. AFP
  • Jordan Ayew – 7 Whipped in a dangerous cross to find Edouard in between two Chelsea players to put Palace into an early lead. EPA
    Jordan Ayew – 7 Whipped in a dangerous cross to find Edouard in between two Chelsea players to put Palace into an early lead. EPA
  • Odsonne Edouard – 7 Against the run of play, Edouard scored on his return to the squad when he squeezed between James and Fofana to poke the ball into the Chelsea net. AFP
    Odsonne Edouard – 7 Against the run of play, Edouard scored on his return to the squad when he squeezed between James and Fofana to poke the ball into the Chelsea net. AFP
  • Wilfried Zaha – 6 Kept quiet for long periods by James on the wing, a move to the right wing gave Zaha much more freedom, with his first chance on goal forcing Kepa into action. AFP
    Wilfried Zaha – 6 Kept quiet for long periods by James on the wing, a move to the right wing gave Zaha much more freedom, with his first chance on goal forcing Kepa into action. AFP
  • SUBS: James Tomkins (Clyne 43’) – 6 On his first appearance since December, he got caught out against Mount. Came to the rescue when Mitchell was caught by Sterling. AP
    SUBS: James Tomkins (Clyne 43’) – 6 On his first appearance since December, he got caught out against Mount. Came to the rescue when Mitchell was caught by Sterling. AP
  • Jeffrey Schlupp (Eze 74’) – N/R Saw little of the ball during the period he was on the pitch. PA
    Jeffrey Schlupp (Eze 74’) – N/R Saw little of the ball during the period he was on the pitch. PA
  • Will Hughes (Doucoure 84’) – N/R A late double change. Getty
    Will Hughes (Doucoure 84’) – N/R A late double change. Getty
  • Jean-Philippe Mateta (Edouard 84’) – N/R Straight into the action to win a corner for his side, having been dropped from the starting line-up. Headed over in the closing stages. PA
    Jean-Philippe Mateta (Edouard 84’) – N/R Straight into the action to win a corner for his side, having been dropped from the starting line-up. Headed over in the closing stages. PA
  • CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7 Denied Eze a chance to double Palace’s lead with a strong low save. He then made an important save to stop Zaha in the second half. EPA
    CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7 Denied Eze a chance to double Palace’s lead with a strong low save. He then made an important save to stop Zaha in the second half. EPA
  • Reece James – 7 Delivered a wonderful ball to Silva, who had stayed forward, to create Chelsea’s equaliser. He also did well to quieten Zaha on his wing throughout, forcing Palace to find other routes forward. AP
    Reece James – 7 Delivered a wonderful ball to Silva, who had stayed forward, to create Chelsea’s equaliser. He also did well to quieten Zaha on his wing throughout, forcing Palace to find other routes forward. AP
  • Wesley Fofana – 6 Partnering Silva, the former Leicester player was caught out in the build-up to Edouard’s goal, giving away possession and failing to track the striker’s run. Later, he did well to cut out Edouard who was looking for a free run on the break. AP
    Wesley Fofana – 6 Partnering Silva, the former Leicester player was caught out in the build-up to Edouard’s goal, giving away possession and failing to track the striker’s run. Later, he did well to cut out Edouard who was looking for a free run on the break. AP
  • Thiago Silva – 6 Lucky to avoid a red card when Ayew was through on goal. Beyond that, his experience was crucial in Chelsea’s makeshift backline, cutting out Ayew and Olise at the half-hour point. He also added an assist when he stayed high up to head the ball into Aubameyang’s path. Booked. Getty
    Thiago Silva – 6 Lucky to avoid a red card when Ayew was through on goal. Beyond that, his experience was crucial in Chelsea’s makeshift backline, cutting out Ayew and Olise at the half-hour point. He also added an assist when he stayed high up to head the ball into Aubameyang’s path. Booked. Getty
  • Ben Chilwell – 5 Brought in for Cucurella, Chilwell saw a shot from the edge of the box finish over the bar. Palace enjoyed some freedom down the England international’s wing, Zaha in particular getting joy from that side. Reuters
    Ben Chilwell – 5 Brought in for Cucurella, Chilwell saw a shot from the edge of the box finish over the bar. Palace enjoyed some freedom down the England international’s wing, Zaha in particular getting joy from that side. Reuters
  • Jorginho – 5 Grimacing as he departed the pitch, the Italian was unable to control the midfield like he has previously and was left overrun by Eze and Olise’s attacking intent. Reuters
    Jorginho – 5 Grimacing as he departed the pitch, the Italian was unable to control the midfield like he has previously and was left overrun by Eze and Olise’s attacking intent. Reuters
  • Mateo Kovacic – 5 Like Jorginho, Kovacic struggled to win the midfield battle and was left frustrated. Booked. Getty
    Mateo Kovacic – 5 Like Jorginho, Kovacic struggled to win the midfield battle and was left frustrated. Booked. Getty
  • Mason Mount – 6 Found by Havertz in the box, Mount headed wide of the post. Soon after, he could only find the side-netting from an indirect free-kick. Booked. AP
    Mason Mount – 6 Found by Havertz in the box, Mount headed wide of the post. Soon after, he could only find the side-netting from an indirect free-kick. Booked. AP
  • Raheem Sterling – 6 Had a brilliant opportunity to put his side level within 24 minutes when James’ cross fell to his feet, but he was unable to control the ball. Hit the post later in the first half. Getty
    Raheem Sterling – 6 Had a brilliant opportunity to put his side level within 24 minutes when James’ cross fell to his feet, but he was unable to control the ball. Hit the post later in the first half. Getty
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 8 In his first Premier League start since his return, Aubameyang netted the equaliser after the ball had been launched to Silva, who headed into his path. AP
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 8 In his first Premier League start since his return, Aubameyang netted the equaliser after the ball had been launched to Silva, who headed into his path. AP
  • Kai Havertz – 6 The German should have done better with a shot from distance, but his best effort went wide in first-half stoppage time. Getty
    Kai Havertz – 6 The German should have done better with a shot from distance, but his best effort went wide in first-half stoppage time. Getty
  • SUBS: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Jorginho 55’) – 6 Seemed to settle the midfield and allow Chelsea to find more control. Getty
    SUBS: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Jorginho 55’) – 6 Seemed to settle the midfield and allow Chelsea to find more control. Getty
  • Armando Broja (Aubameyang 75’) – N/R Didn’t seem to get into the game, aside for some late hold up play to see out the win. Reuters
    Armando Broja (Aubameyang 75’) – N/R Didn’t seem to get into the game, aside for some late hold up play to see out the win. Reuters
  • Conor Gallagher (Havertz 76’) – 7 Given a warm reception on his return to Selhurst Park, he found the top corner from the edge of the box to bag a stunning goal, and all three points. AFP
    Conor Gallagher (Havertz 76’) – 7 Given a warm reception on his return to Selhurst Park, he found the top corner from the edge of the box to bag a stunning goal, and all three points. AFP
  • Christian Pulisic (Mount 84’) – N/R Teed up the shot for Gallagher after neat footwork to get the ball into space. EPA
    Christian Pulisic (Mount 84’) – N/R Teed up the shot for Gallagher after neat footwork to get the ball into space. EPA

Crystal Palace v Chelsea ratings: Zaha 6, Edouard 7; Aubameyang 8, Sterling 6


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Graham Potter earned his first win as Chelsea manager after Conor Gallagher returned to haunt Crystal Palace with the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park.

Potter was taking charge of Chelsea for just the second time since replacing the sacked Thomas Tuchel in September.

The former Brighton boss had overseen a 1-1 draw with RB Salzburg in the Champions League and was seconds away from another frustrating result until England midfielder Gallagher rode to the rescue.

Odsonne Edouard had put Palace ahead early on before former Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised with his first goal for Chelsea late in the first half.

That set the stage for Gallagher to come off the bench and win it for Chelsea deep into stoppage-time, in the process breaking the hearts of the team he played for on loan for the whole of last season.

"It's a very special moment to come on and get the winner. It was written in the stars. Everyone knows how much I loved it at Palace but I'm just buzzing to get my first goal," Gallagher said.

Ratings from Selhurst Park can be seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, just swipe.

Updated: October 01, 2022, 5:37 PM