Chelsea snatched all three points against Crystal Palace on Saturday after Conor Gallagher's 90th minute screamer broke opposition hearts.
Gallagher was a fan-favourite during his loan spell at Selhurst Park but came back to haunt Palace as he fired in a brilliant long-range winner, followed with a muted celebration out of respect for his former side. The English midfielder has enjoyed an impressive week after scoring for England under-21s before coming off the bench and sealing the Blues' first win under new manager Graham Potter.
Chelsea had to win the hard way after conceding inside 10 minutes at Selhurst Park before summer signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised just before half-time with a smart finish on the spin. Christian Pulisic's cameo caught the eye as the American winger grabbed the assist for Gallagher's winner, which may see Potter hand the USMNT international a rare start in the coming games.
READ MORE: How Ben Chilwell angered Thiago Silva as Graham Potter faces same Chelsea issue as Thomas Tuchel
Here's how the national media reacted to Chelsea's first Premier League win under Graham Potter after a difficult test against Palace.
"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.
"Gallagher 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. 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.
"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."
"At the end the attention inevitably lingered on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s first goal in Chelsea colours, Graham Potter’s substitutions coming off and Conor Gallagher respecting the narrative with a stunning last-minute winner.
"All things considered, for all that Potter could not entirely dismiss Crystal Palace’s complaints about Chris Kavanagh’s officiating, it felt better to dwell on the positives. There were pivotal saves from Kepa Arrizabalaga, flashes of class in attack, even a decent cameo from Christian Pulisic. Crucially, too, Thomas Tuchel’s successor had seen his new side roll their sleeves up. Instead of crumbling after going a goal down to Crystal Palace, Chelsea had rallied; victory rarely looked secure, but it was certainly hard-earned.
"Palace saw it differently, though. Their supporters had applauded Gallagher when he came on after 76 minutes. The midfielder’s goal was painful but predictable. Gallagher had excelled on loan at Palace last season, so nobody needed to tell them that he is capable of bending in brilliant goals from 20 yards out.
"It was huge for Gallagher, who has struggled since returning to Chelsea, his momentum stymied when he picked up a foolish first-half red card against Leicester two months ago. Yet Palace were livid. They could not understand how Thiago Silva avoided a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity when Chelsea were 1-0 down."
"Conor Gallagher was cheered on to the pitch by Crystal Palace supporters and then broke their hearts with a stunning 90th-minute winner for Chelsea. Midfielder Gallagher was given a standing ovation when he entered the fray in the 76th minute in recognition of his brilliant loan spell here last season which ended with him winning both the fans and players’ player of the year awards.
"Fourteen minutes later he was performing the now standard muted celebration while his teammates mobbed him after scoring against his old club to earn Graham Potter a victory in his first Premier League game in charge. It must have been so hard for Gallagher to keep his emotions suppressed. This was his first ever goal for Chelsea and one certainly worthy of celebrating.
"It was a huge moment for the 22-year-old who is hoping to build on his Palace spell by making the grade at his boyhood club having not enjoyed the smoothest of starts to this campaign — getting sent off against Leicester and missing out on the final England squad ahead of the World Cup.
"Palace manager Patrick Vieira stood stony-faced in his technical area after seeing the youngster he helped develop so impressively, and into an England international last season, return to haunt his former side. It was one final setback for the Frenchman on an ultimately frustrating afternoon."
READ NEXT:
Every word Graham Potter said on N'Golo Kante, Marc Cucurella, Chelsea change and Crystal Palace
Todd Boehly lines up £52.8m Chelsea summer transfer with 'secret' Christopher Nkunku medical
Graham Potter handed quadruple Chelsea blow as N'Golo Kante ruled out of Crystal Palace clash
Chelsea have already solved Graham Potter problem with Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo solution
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
