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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matt Maltby

Conor Gallagher breaks Crystal Palace hearts with last-gasp Chelsea winner - 6 talking points

Conor Gallagher came off the bench to score a stunning winner for Chelsea against former club Crystal Palace.

Graham Potter took charge of his first Premier League game as Blues boss but it got off to the worst start when Odsonne Edouard opened the scoring after just seven minutes with a thunderous effort. Chelsea escaped further embarrassment in the first half when Thiago Silva avoided a red card despite deliberately handling the ball as Palace threatened another counter-attack.

The Blues, despite not being at their best, then pulled themselves back into the game before the break thanks to Aubameyang's finish. On his first start for the club, the striker latched onto Silva's knock-down to open his account. Gallagher, who starred on loan at Palace last season, then came off the bench to curl home a superb winner in stoppage time.

Here are six talking points from Selhurst Park...

1. Potter's Palace run

Potter's not had much luck when it comes to playing Palace. Before this clash, the new Blues boss had never beaten the Eagles in seven games. The run that stretches back to his time at Swansea; with his teams drawing four times and losing on three occasions.

He's not exactly popular in south London either, given his three-year spell with fierce rivals Brighton. The Eagles faithful made their feelings clear as Potter ventured out onto the Selhurst Park pitch to take charge of his first Premier League game as Chelsea boss.

But the run ended on Saturday as Chelsea came from behind to secure the three points. Potter would have been chuffed that his substitution paid off too, with Gallagher proving to be the hero.

2. A penny for Gallagher's thoughts

What must Gallagher have been thinking, as he took his place on the Chelsea bench at kick-off. The midfielder was back in familiar surroundings, having enjoyed a stunning loan spell with Palace last season.

Patrick Vieira was desperate to bring him back this season but the 22-year-old opted to stay and fight for a spot in Chelsea's first-team. It's not exactly going to plan though, as Potter preferred a midfield trio of Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount on Saturday. He suffered another snub in the second half when Potter overlooked Gallagher and brought on Ruben Loftus-Cheek to replace Jorginho.

But he then showed his worth by coming off the bench to score a wonderful winner. It remains to be seen whether that decision to stay in west London proves costly in Gallagher's bid to earn a spot in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the World Cup. He has four caps to date but was left out the latest squad.

3. Can Kepa keep his spot?

Kepa Arrizabalaga was handed a golden chance to win back his No.1 shirt, with Edouard Mendy still recovering from injury. And it's fair to say he has given Potter somewhat of a headache, having produced a string of fine saves.

Kepa may have conceded with just seven minutes gone, but there was nothing he could have done about Edouard's opener. The Frenchman expertly guided Jordan Ayew's cross into the top corner, leaving the Blues stopper helpless.

But that early blow seemingly inspired Kepa, with the keeper bringing his A game to Selhurst Park. First he showed great reflexes to thwart Eberechi Eze from distance, and then he was quick off his line to block Wilfried Zaha's effort. Several other stops followed in the second half, including a clever stop to prevent Michael Olise from scoring.

4. Electrifying Eagles

Vieira has worked wonders at Palace. Long gone are the days of the defensive football played under his predecessor Roy Hodgson. They now have an exciting young team, boasting an array of attacking talent.

That was on show against Chelsea, with Wilfried Zaha, Olise, Eze, Ayew and Edouard all impressing on Saturday. Indeed, every time Palace caught Chelsea on the counter, it looked like they would score.

The Blues didn't know how to cope at times. That was evident when they opened the scoring early on, while Silva was fortunate to escape a red card after he deliberately handled the ball to prevent Ayew from having a one-on-one goalscoring chance.

5. Lucky Thiago Silva

Arguably the biggest talking point of the game occurred in the first half when Silva deliberately handled the ball to prevent Ayew from running clear through on goal. To the amazement of almost everybody in the ground, he was only booked.

Referee Chris Kavanagh didn't seem to feel it warranted a red card and VAR agreed too. But every time you look back at the replays, it's hard to understand the decision. Silva whacked the ball away with his hand; had he not done that, Ayew was clear.

Vieira was furious too, making his feelings clear; so much so, that his protests earned him a yellow card. That came after Silva contributed to Chelsea's equaliser, knocking down the ball for Aubameyang to fire home.

6. Aubameyang delivers

As all great strikers do, Aubameyang delivered when his team needed him most. Potter handed the former Arsenal striker his first start and with 37 minutes played, you wouldn't have blamed the Blues boss for regretting his decision.

Aubameyang had barely touched the ball and rarely offered an attacking threat, but then up he popped with a deadly finish to pull Chelsea back into the game. They needed it too, with Palace beginning to dictate possession.

It was a lovely finish, the striker getting on the end of Thiago's knock-down to fire into the bottom corner. Potter will be hoping he can kick on now.

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