Conor Gallagher scored a last-gasp winner for Chelsea in Graham Potter's first Premier League game in charge against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
It was a sloppy start from the visitors who were punished just seven minutes into proceedings when Odsonne Edouard latched onto Jordan Ayew's cross to put the Eagles in front.
The Blues looked to mount a comeback, Raheem Sterling came close when he flicked a strike that clipped the outside of the post.
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Chelsea were lucky not to be down to ten men before the break, but Thiago Silva was only given a yellow despite stopping a Palace attack with his hand.
The Brazilian was involved once again before half-time but this time in a positive manner, his header found Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who fired a wonderful effort past Vicente Guaita.
In the second half, the two sides scrapped away to try and find an advantage, but nothing particularly clear cut was created.
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As the game edged to a close, a special effort from Conor Gallagher found the top corner, an excellent strike against the side he was on loan at last season.
The goal was just enough for the Blues, who hung on to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1.
Here are five things Absolute Chelsea learned from Saturday's derby.
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1) Success under Potter will not be instant
This game against Patrick Vieira's was just Potter's second game in charge of the Blues and there is evidently still a lot of work to be done. The Englishman still may want to experiment with different players and formations so it is important that he is given time to find what works.
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2) Everybody has a chance to impress Graham Potter
The substitutions who came on were ultimately the game changers at Selhurst Park. Gallagher scored with a wonderful effort to hand Chelsea all three points and will have left the new boss very happy. Other players will know they need to put in performances like that should they want to be major parts of his plans.
3) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be the answer to Chelsea's finishing problems
The Blues have struggled to find the back of the net this season, despite creating clear cut opportunities and dominating games they have failed to make the most of them. Sterling has been heavily relied upon, but Aubameyang looks as though he could prove a valuable asset. Coming in to fill the holes left by Timo Werner and and Romelu Lukaku, the Gabonese opened his account for Chelsea with a super strike against Palace. The goal is hopefully a very promising sign of what to expect for the rest of the season.
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4) Silly mistakes need to be avoided
Silva was an extremely lucky man in the first half when he was shown a yellow card instead of a red card when he illegally prevented an attack from the hosts. It was a bizarre move from the experienced defender who handled the ball and it could have really cost the Blues should he have been given his marching orders. Wesley Fofana was also poor in the build-up to to the opening goal, giving away possession and then failing to track back. Should Chelsea want to get anywhere this season, these sloppy errors need to be avoided.
READ MORE: Graham Potter relishing ‘crazy’ Chelsea fixture schedule ahead of World Cup
5) Kepa Arrizabalaga the better option over Edouard Mendy
Although the Spaniard conceded just seven minutes into the game, little to no blame can be placed on him for the goal. Overall it was a good performance, he made some solid stops that ensured the Blues came away with something from Selhurst Park. When Mendy is fit to play once again, it will be interesting to see who Potter choses to start.
Topics: Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Football, Premier League
Sam Collins