Chelsea defeated Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park on January 25, 2026. Kickoff was 14:00 GMT. The victory marked another Premier League win for Liam Rosenior‘s side. Cole Palmer was absent from the squad, despite training and pre-match expectations.
Rosenior addressed Palmer’s status post-match. He also spoke on transfer rumors linking the midfielder to Manchester due to alleged homesickness. This win moved Chelsea to fourth in the Premier League, overtaking Liverpool.
Match Summary and Key Performances
Chelsea’s goals came from Estevao in the 34th minute, Joao Pedro in the 50th, and an Enzo Fernandez penalty in the 64th. Crystal Palace scored late with C. Richards finding the net in the 88th minute. Palace’s A. Wharton received a red card in the 72nd minute, reducing them to ten men.
Estevao started in Palmer’s place. He both scored and assisted in the match. Other squad changes saw Garnacho benched, with Badiashile and Andrey Santos also featuring. Chelsea’s form under Rosenior has improved; they have 4 wins in 5 matches since Enzo Maresca’s exit. This includes back-to-back victories.
Crystal Palace has not beaten Chelsea in their last 17 encounters. This run includes 14 losses and 3 draws. Palace has collected 12 home points in the Premier League this season.
Palmer’s Thigh Issue and Transfer Speculation
Cole Palmer missed Chelsea’s Champions League win against Pafos midweek due to a minor injury. He trained before the Palace match but was not named in the squad. Rosenior confirmed Palmer’s continued absence.
“Unfortunately for Cole not quite for this one. I’ve mentioned in previous press conferences that we want to ensure every player is at 100%,” Rosenior told Sky Sports. “There’s no benefit in risking players in January for our goals. He has a slight issue with his thigh, and while he isn’t fully fit, there’s a chance he could return for Wednesday.”
Palmer has been limited to just 10 Premier League starts this season due to various injuries. His season has been marred by multiple absences. Enzo Fernandez took penalty duties in Palmer’s absence against Palace.
Rosenior also addressed transfer speculation surrounding Palmer. Reports suggested discontent in London and a desire to return to Manchester. The manager responded but dismissed risk in January. There are no confirmed bids or player requests, only reported speculation. Palmer remains a key talisman for the club.
Looking Ahead: Champions League Challenge
Chelsea is currently in the Champions League league phase. They have 13 points, sitting between 8th and 10th position. A win against Napoli on Wednesday is crucial for knockout qualification. Palmer is hoped to be fit for this important European fixture, according to Goal.com.
The squad faces other injury concerns. Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, and Romeo Lavia are among the players currently sidelined. Palace also had several players out, including Che Doucoure and Daniel Munoz. Rosenior’s focus remains on ensuring player fitness for crucial matches.
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