Conor Gallagher makes a mockery of Boehly transfer plan by saving Chelsea again (2024)

CRYSTAL PALACE 1-3 CHELSEA: Roy Hodgson's side led at half-time through Jefferson Lerma's cracker, but Conor Gallagher struck twice and Enzo Fernandez added a third as the Blues roared back in the second half

They have spent £1billion quid on players but it was the homegrown hero who saved Chelsea again.

Conor Gallagher has an incredible spirit, determination and single-minded attitude as he simply refuses to give up.

That was the story of his night at Selhurst Park as he scored twice as Chelsea came from behind to break Crystal Palace hearts with a last gasp snatch and grab victory.

It was Gallagher - who spent a season on loan at Palace - who scored the 90th minute winner for Chelsea in this fixture last season. And Gallagher, 24, delivered again with the equaliser to haul Chelsea level after a woeful first half and then he put them ahead in the 91st minute before Enzo Fernandez grabbed another in the fourth minute of injury time.

To say it was rough luck on Palace is a huge understatement because they showed great courage and way more fight than Chelsea in the first half.

But that will count for little because there were some boos at the final whistle as Chelsea made it 13 straight wins over Palace and it will only turn up the heat on under-pressure manager Roy Hodgson.

Palace are now stuck right in the middle of a relegation battle while Chelsea moved up to the lofty heights of tenth. Stuck exactly in mid-table.

You do not get much value for money these days but Gallagher could teach a few of the big money buys about determination and desire.

Let’s not forget that Chelsea were open to selling Gallagher in the January window because selling a homegrown player - he joined the club as an eight year old - helps to balance the books and get them into line with the Premier League’s spending rules.

But it is also about time that Chelsea realised that Gallagher is priceless because he sets the tone and, while he might have the natural talent or flair as some of the big-money signings, he has as much love for the club as any of their greats like John Terry or Frank Lampard.

Gallagher is a dyed-in-the-wool Chelsea fan who loves proving people wrong. It is his whole outlook on life and was the reason they salvaged a victory from the jaws of defeat.

Chelsea were absolutely woeful in the first half. As bad as anyone can remember. No heart, no spirit. The opening Palace goal came from woeful defending as Nuni Madueke and Moises Caicedo showed no determination and just allowed Jefferson Lerma to win the ball.

Lerma strode forward and then unleashed a rocket of a shot into the top corner and suddenly Palace - injury-hit and with only three wins in 19 games - had hope.

The half time break saw farcical scenes and a long delay as referee Michael Oliver’s VAR tech pack took what felt like an eternity to fix. Madueke was hooked as it is easier to sacrifice than the £115m record signing Caicedo.

Chelsea levelled after 47 minutes. Caicedo played Malo Gusto down the line, his cross was then smashed in by Gallagher.

Neither side looked like they would win it until substitute Raheem Sterling played in Cole Palmer and then Gallagher swept home to send the away end wild. Then in the 94th minute, Palmer led a break and Fernandez had time and space to pick his spot and complete the win.

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