Chelsea moved into the Champions League places with a 3-1 win over out-of-form Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Estevao's opener on the breakaway set Liam Rosenior's side on their way before Joao Pedro added a second early in the second half. Enzo Fernandez made it three from the spot after Jaydee Canvot's accidental handball was spotted following a VAR review.

Adam Wharton's red card ended any lingering hope of a comeback even though Chris Richards did pull one back late in the game to deny Robert Sanchez a clean sheet. Chelsea's superior cutting edge made the difference as Palace's poor form continues.

Player ratings:

Crystal Palace: Henderson (6), Munoz (6), Richards (6), Lacroix (6), Canvot (4), Mitchell (6), Lerma (6), Wharton (5), Sarr (6), Johnson (5), Mateta (6).

Subs: Pino (6), Sosa (6), Hughes (6), Riad (6), Uche (n/a).

Chelsea: Sanchez (7), James (7), Chalobah (7), Badiashile (6), Cucurella (7), Santos (7), Caicedo (7), Estevao (8), Fernandez (8), Neto (6), Joao Pedro (8).

Subs: Fofana (6), Gusto (6), Gittens (6), Hato (n/a), Delap (n/a).

Player of the Match: Joao Pedro.

How Chelsea won at Palace

In Oliver Glasner's first return to Selhurst since announcing that he will be exiting at the end of the season and revealing that sense of feeling "abandoned" following the sale of captain Marc Guehi on the eve of the previous game, Palace actually started well.

Jean-Philippe Mateta, another plotting life beyond Palace, should have scored when Ismaila Sarr robbed Benoit Badiashile but Sanchez saved well with his feet. Canvot was not so fortunate at the other end, his mistake being punished by Estevao.

The 18-year-old Brazilian showed why there is such excitement about him, holding off Tyrick Mitchell's challenge after seizing on Canvot's wayward pass before lashing beyond Dean Henderson. It was Estevao's first goal since scoring against Barcelona.

Pedro chopped inside to fire beyond Henderson for the second and there really was no way back when Canvot's hand was adjudged to have stopped the player's shot from heading in. Fernandez took the spot-kick duties in Cole Palmer's absence.

Wharton's red card for a silly challenge added to Palace's woe and despite Richards' late header, Glasner's side are now on a run of 11 games without a win - eight points clear of the relegation zone. Rosenior's Chelsea, however, are looking up.

Rosenior: Estevao outstanding

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior speaking about Estevao in the press conference:

"It says what we already know. He's a player with special ability, special talent. He's been ill and every time he's been on the pitch with me so far, he's been outstanding.

"But I feel, if you watch that goal, what makes me so happy is all 11 men are back behind the ball. That's why he gets the space.

"I don't want to talk too much about individuals; I thought it was a top team performance away from home; from Joao Pedro's pressing, Pedro Neto and Estevao from the front, the two midfield players, and the defenders had to defend really well against the presence of Mateta.

"So Estevao, so happy with him, but so happy with the whole team.

"Today was a huge test. I changed the shape. It's hard to explain; it's like a semi-four, semi-five at the back, with Andrey Santos in between.

"For them to go and put on - from a tactical point of view - the performance they did, in two days, makes me very pleased because pretty much 95 per cent of the press, 95 per cent of the positioning was absolutely perfect.

"They are engaged, I think they are believing in what they are doing, but it's one game. We have to make sure we're consistent in every game we play."

Teams

Crystal Palace Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Canvot (Pino 65), Munoz (Riad 76), Lerma, Wharton, Mitchell (Sosa 65), Sarr, Johnson (Hughes 76), Mateta (Uche 85)
Subs Not Used Benitez, Imray, Rodney, Devenny
Booked Canvot, Wharton, Lerma 90
Sent Off Wharton 72
Goals Richards 88

Chelsea Sanchez; James (c) (Hato 81), Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo (Fofana 73); Estevao (Gittens 74), Fernandez, Neto (Gusto 74); Joao Pedro (Delap 85)
Subs Not Used Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Garnacho, Guiu
Booked Caicedo, Santos
Goals Estevao 34, Joao Pedro 50, Fernandez 64 (pen)

Attendance 25,163

Referee Darren England

VAR Matt Donohue