Potter magic seals first league win as Chelsea boss

Graham Potter recorded his first league win at Chelsea on Saturday against Crystal Palace.  The Blues boss took over at the club for Thomas Tuchel on September 8th.  Potter’s team fought back from a early deficit in the match to pick up the three points on the road.

Crystal Palace started well

Crystal Palace scored first as Odsonne Edouard put the Eagles in front after just seven minutes.  Chelsea, however, did not panic and leveled the scoreline before halftime.  New signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his first goal for the west London club.  The former Arsenal striker left Barcelona for the Blues after falling down the pecking order in Spain.

Five minutes prior to the Aubameyang goal, Chelsea nearly found themselves down to 10 men.  Center back Thiago Silva purposely handled the ball as Jordan Ayew was about to head towards goal.  The referee, and VAR, however, decided that it was just a yellow card offense.

Potter sees his first Chelsea league

Just as the match looked certain to end all square, Chelsea scored the winner in the final moments in normal time.  Former Palace midfielder Conor Gallagher entered the fray as a substitute in the 76th minute for the Blues.  Gallagher was a standout during his 2021/22 loan campaign with the Eagles.  Nevertheless, his return would haunt Palace.

The England international sent a beautiful curling effort into the top corner in the 90th minute of the match.  Showing respect for his former club, Gallagher did not celebrate the gorgeous goal.  Chelsea saw out the final few minutes of added time and won the game 2-1.

Post-match reaction

After the match, Potter praised his midfielder.  “We’re delighted for Conor Gallagher,” proclaimed the coach in his post match interview.  “Of course he has a lot of respect of Palace … but he is a Chelsea player now.”

Pulisic gets the ball to Conor Gallagher and Gallagher does the rest. 🫡

📺: @USA_Network #MyPLMorning | #CRYCHE pic.twitter.com/zct8gx4bM2

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 1, 2022

The victory on Saturday moved the Blues up to fifth in the Premier League table for the time being.  Manchester United have the chance to leap frog Chelsea with a win on Sunday against crosstown rivals Manchester City.

Photo credit: IMAGO / PA Images