The match, played under overcast south London skies, saw Chelsea, under manager Liam Rosenior, produce a professional performance that combined youthful flair with clinical finishing. It marked an important statement win as the Blues climbed into the top four of the Premier League table, leapfrogging rivals like Liverpool in the process. For Crystal Palace, the afternoon was one of frustration, compounded by a red card and defensive errors that handed the initiative to their visitors.
Chelsea took the lead in the 34th minute through the brilliance of teenage sensation Estêvão Willian. The 18-year-old Brazilian, making a significant impact in the starting lineup, pounced on a catastrophic back-pass error from Palace defender Jaydee Canvot. Estêvão latched onto the loose ball just inside the Palace half, accelerated past left-back Tyrick Mitchell with ease, and produced a composed, powerful finish past goalkeeper Dean Henderson. The strike was his first Premier League goal in what has been a breakout period for the former Palmeiras star, who has quickly endeared himself to Chelsea fans with his dribbling, vision, and goal threat.
The goal came after a relatively even opening half-hour, where both sides probed without creating many clear chances. Palace had threatened sporadically, with Jean-Philippe Mateta forcing a save from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez after going one-on-one, but the Eagles' build-up play lacked precision. Chelsea, meanwhile, grew into the game, with midfielders Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos providing a solid base, allowing attacking players like Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernández, and Estêvão freedom to express themselves.
Just before halftime, Estêvão nearly doubled the lead in similar fashion, racing onto another loose ball, but he failed to convert after a header from Fernández in his own box almost gifted him another opportunity. Palace survived until the break, but the momentum was firmly with the visitors.
Chelsea wasted little time in extending their advantage after the restart. In the 50th minute, Estêvão turned provider, clipping a clever ball behind the Palace defense for João Pedro. The Brazilian forward controlled it expertly, cut inside, and slotted home with composure to make it 2-0. The goal showcased the growing understanding between Chelsea's young South American talents, with Estêvão's vision and Pedro's finishing proving decisive.
The match turned decisively in Chelsea's favor around the hour mark. In the 64th minute, João Pedro's goal-bound shot struck the arm of Canvot inside the box, resulting in a penalty after VAR confirmation. Fernández stepped up and converted coolly, sending Henderson the wrong way to put Chelsea 3-0 ahead. The spot-kick was a fair reflection of Chelsea's control, as they dominated possession and created the better opportunities throughout.
Palace's afternoon went from bad to worse in the 72nd minute when midfielder Adam Wharton received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Caicedo. The dismissal left the hosts with ten men and effectively ended any hopes of a comeback. Wharton had been one of Palace's better performers in midfield, but his indiscipline summed up a sloppy display from Oliver Glasner's side.
Despite the deficit and numerical disadvantage, Palace showed some pride late on. In the 88th minute, Chris Richards pulled a goal back with a scrappy finish following a set-piece, giving the home fans something to cheer about. However, it proved nothing more than a consolation as Chelsea comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.
The victory was all the more impressive given Chelsea's absences. Key playmaker Cole Palmer was sidelined through injury, forcing Rosenior to rely on emerging talents like Estêvão and João Pedro, who both delivered standout performances. Estêvão, in particular, was the star of the show—scoring once, assisting once, and constantly troubling the Palace backline with his pace and trickery. His performance drew praise for breaking and equaling several Premier League and club records for young players, highlighting why Chelsea invested heavily in him from Palmeiras.
For Crystal Palace, the defeat highlighted ongoing struggles. Plagued by injuries to players like Chadi Riad, Cheick Oumar Doucouré, and others, and with key returns like Ismaila Sarr failing to turn the tide, the Eagles remain mid-table and vulnerable defensively. The handball for the penalty, the error leading to the opener, and Wharton's red card underscored a lack of concentration that has cost them points in recent weeks.
Chelsea's dominance in this fixture is no fluke. Historically, the Blues have won far more encounters than Palace, and this result continues a trend where Selhurst Park has rarely been a happy hunting ground for the Eagles against their west London neighbors. Rosenior's side now looks well-positioned for a strong push toward Champions League qualification, with their blend of experience (Fernández, Caicedo, Cucurella) and youth (Estêvão, Pedro) proving effective.
Speaking post-match, Rosenior highlighted the maturity of his young players: "Estêvão is special—he's enjoying every minute here, and it's showing on the pitch." The Brazilian himself expressed delight at contributing, noting the connection he's building with teammates.
As the Premier League season progresses into its latter stages, this result could prove pivotal. Chelsea's win keeps them firmly in the top-four conversation, while Palace must regroup quickly ahead of their next fixture against Nottingham Forest. For neutrals, the emergence of Estêvão as a Premier League force adds excitement to what is shaping up as a thrilling title and qualification race.
The match statistics reflected Chelsea's superiority: they controlled possession, outshot Palace, and limited the hosts to few clear chances beyond the late consolation. It was a professional away performance that bodes well for Rosenior's reign.
In a season full of twists, Chelsea's victory at Selhurst Park on January 25, 2026, will be remembered for the sparkle of Estêvão Willian and a continuation of the Blues' mastery over their south London rivals.
