Conor Gallagher Late Heroics Secures All Three Points For Chelsea Against Crystal Palace.

 Conor Gallagher's flash of brilliance gave Chelsea a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in their Premier League match on Saturday at Selhurst Park.

As waiting more than three weeks to manage his first Premier League game as the new Blues manager, Graham Potter appeared to be heading for a draw after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cancelled out Odsonne Edouard's opening goal.

Later in the first half, Thiago Silva had purposefully kept a through pass from reaching Edouard, Palace would have thought that they should also have been at a player advantage.

Unexpectedly, VAR insisted that a yellow card was sufficient, a judgment that Palace suffered as Chelsea equalized five minutes later.

After a long pass found Silva on the edge of the box, the Brazilian headed the ball into Aubameyang's path, who used a deft finish while turning to find the bottom corner.

During the second half, both teams had their moments, but Potter was compelled to make multiple changes to his team, including the introduction of Gallagher to play against his former team.

Despite not being included in Gareth Southgate's most recent squad, the England international was brought on to help Chelsea take control of the game rather than add a threat in the final third. 

The Palace loanee from the previous season went on to steal the show. Gallagher scored the winning-goal of the game for the visitors in the final minute of regulation time by curling a beautiful 25-yard long shot into the far corner Vicente Guaita's net.

The 22-year-old did not celebrate out of respect for the Eagles, having won their Player of the Year award and collecting a standing ovation both after warm-ups and when coming on as a substitute in the 75th minute during the game

Gallagher has featured in seven of nine games for the Blues thus far already, starting three, but his performances have been rather mixed.

“It’s a very special moment to come on and get the winner and my first goal for Chelsea. It was written in the stars... Gallagher told BBC.

“Unfortunately it came against Palace but I’m just buzzing to get my first goal. Everyone knows how much I loved it here [at Palace] and I thank the whole club and the fans even today with the reception they gave me.”

“Hopefully I can build a bit of confidence with the goal and push on. I want to work as hard as I can for him [manager Graham Potter] and be available wherever he needs me, whether starting or coming off the bench. Obviously I want to start and I need to show him I’m good enough.”

On repeat... 🤤#CryChe pic.twitter.com/azXZcMdJb4

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 1, 2022

 It was Conor first senior goal for his boyhood club, and First win for Potter as new manager having replaced Thomas Tuchel.

With a game remaining, the performance puts Chelsea up to fifth place in the rankings, eight points behind leaders Arsenal.