Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Live: Estevão breaks the deadlock as Chelsea edge a tense first half at Selhurst Park

A crackling London derby rhythm at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Live hits full flow, with the visitors striking first through a dazzling Estevão solo run. Status: Live on Sunday, January 25, 2026 — a fine-margins Premier League battle where transitions and set-pieces are dictating the mood.

Score & Status — Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Live

• Status: Live (36’)

• Score: Crystal Palace 0–1 Chelsea (Estevão 34’)

• Venue: Selhurst Park, London

Kickoff (Time Zones)

• USA (ET) — Sun, Jan 25, 9:00 AM

• USA (PT) — Sun, Jan 25, 6:00 AM

• Canada (Toronto) — Sun, Jan 25, 9:00 AM

• UK (London) — Sun, Jan 25, 2:00 PM

Live Timeline (Key Moments)

• 17’ Badiashile booked for time-wasting as Chelsea try to cool an edgy spell.

• 20’ Huge Palace chance: Mateta pounces on a defensive lapse but Sánchez stands tall to save.

• 21’ Caicedo sees yellow after a late challenge in midfield.

• 28’ Sarr skews Palace’s best opening wide from six yards after a long throw causes chaos.

• 34’ GOAL — Estevão. The teenager glides past challenges from halfway and finishes left-footed from the center of the box. Chelsea 1–0.

GOAL CHELSEA!!!!! ESTEVAO SCORES AND MAKES IT 0-1 VS CRYSTAL PALACE!!!!!pic.twitter.com/Ds5fMmIO7D — 𝑾𝒆𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒚²⁹ (@CFCFofana) January 25, 2026

Standout Performers & Turning Points

• Estevão (Chelsea): Direct carrying has been the difference; the goal encapsulated his threat on the break.

• Robert Sánchez (Chelsea): One massive stop on Mateta kept the game level before the opener — a momentum-shifter.

• Adam Wharton (Palace): Composed on the ball, trying to connect Palace’s wingbacks and front line.

• Set-piece needle: Palace’s long throws and near-post corners are unsettling Chelsea; second-phase defending is critical for the visitors.

Lineups & Shape (confirmed shapes)

• Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Muñoz, Lerma, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Brennan Johnson; Mateta. Compact mid-block, wingbacks springing forward after regains.

• Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; James, Badiashile, Cucurella, Santos; Caicedo, Enzo Fernández; Neto, Estevão, (right-side rotations); striker leading the line. Emphasis on quick outlets to wide runners.

Match Stats (live snapshot)

Tactical Pulse — where this derby tilts next

Palace’s 3-4-2-1 has asked questions with early restarts and direct service to Mateta, but the spacing behind their wingbacks remains Chelsea’s runway. The away side’s best attacks come from a three-pass escape: full-back → No. 10 (Estevão) → channel ball for the striker or the weak-side winger attacking the inside lane. If Palace can slow those first two passes — especially into Estevão’s feet — they’ll reassert territory and pin Chelsea back with repeat entries and long throws.

For Chelsea, the hinge is the double pivot. When Enzo drops to help build, Caicedo must hold discipline to snuff counters after lost attacks. If the Blues keep Palace in front of them and continue springing wide breaks, the next big chance in Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Live likely looks a lot like the first goal: space, a burst, and an early finish.

What It Means — Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Live

With the visitors up at the interval window, Chelsea are positioned to bank a statement away win and tighten their European push. Palace remain one moment away — their restarts and direct crosses are live wires — but they’ll need sharper penalty-box execution and one clean look for Mateta. The margins are thin; the next goal decides whether Chelsea can shut the door or the derby spirals into a late Selhurst siege.