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Ben Chilwell vindicated his \u00a345million transfer with a Premier League debut goal and assist as Chelsea thumped Crystal Palace 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\nBen Chilwell vindicated his \u00a345million transfer with a Premier League debut goal and assist as Chelsea thumped Crystal Palace 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
The England full-back drilled home to put Chelsea ahead following a cagey, goalless first half, before laying on Kurt Zouma\u2019s header.<\/p>\n
Jorginho then stroked home two penalties in four minutes to seal a comfortable Chelsea win, their first home victory in the new league campaign.<\/p>\n
Tammy Abraham tried to take the second of Chelsea\u2019s two late penalties but was overruled by skipper Cesar Azpilicueta, who handed the ball to Jorginho.<\/p>\n
The Italy midfielder had missed from the spot in Chelsea\u2019s 2-0 home loss to Liverpool but delivered twice here, courtesy of his trademark skip-step run-up.<\/p>\n
Chilwell showed exactly why Frank Lampard was so desperate to bring him to the Blues from Leicester in an impressive all-court performance.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old provided deadly set-piece delivery all day and kick-started the second-half goal glut with a fine finish.<\/p>\n
Palace\u2019s stifling tactics started well before kick-off, with the Eagles late out of the changing rooms to leave Chelsea\u2019s quizzical players waving their arms in frustration.<\/p>\n
Joel Ward got away with a sneaky elbow to Timo Werner\u2019s face, with only the light contact letting the full-back escape censure.<\/p>\n
Chelsea dominated possession but again lacked the speed of passing or fluidity of movement to break down the extremely well-drilled visitors.<\/p>\n
Kai Havertz\u2019s class and time on the ball stood out though, and the Germany playmaker\u2019s ghosting run and pass laid on an inviting opening for Werner.<\/p>\n
His national team-mate raced onto the ball only to scuff an attempted whipped effort, leaving Vicente Guaita a facile claim.<\/p>\n
Abraham\u2019s smart run across the face of goal not only opened up space for Havertz, it also perhaps provided the better option for a threaded pass.<\/p>\n
Jorginho blazed over after Thiago Silva\u2019s neatly flicked header, and then Callum Hudson-Odoi overhit a potentially threatening ball designed for Chilwell.<\/p>\n
The bullish N\u2019Golo Kante drove through midfield and split the defense with a delicate through ball \u2013 only for Abraham and Werner to make the same run and fluff a fine opening.<\/p>\n
Mamadou Sakho nodded wide from a Palace corner in the visitors\u2019 sole chance of the half, and the teams duly reached the interval in deadlock.<\/p>\n
The stalemate was lifted quickly after the restart, however, when Chilwell drilled home sweetly for the hosts.<\/p>\n
Hudson-Odoi lost then recovered the ball in the Palace box and laid off to Azpilicueta, and his deflected shot lofted across the box.<\/p>\n
Abraham muscled his way to a smart flick-on, allowing the onrushing Chilwell to blast into the net.<\/p>\n
Chelsea should have doubled their lead minutes later, but the unmarked Zouma could only head wide from Chilwell\u2019s inch-perfect corner.<\/p>\n
Zouma quickly atoned for that glaring miss by nodding home another Chilwell cross however, easing personal and collective Chelsea frustrations as the hosts took control.<\/p>\n
Abraham should have made it three when thumping a header after Hudson-Odoi had skinned Tyrick Mitchell and delivered a fine cross.<\/p>\n
The England striker won a penalty shortly afterwards though, drawing a foul from Mitchell.<\/p>\n
Jorginho duly stepped up and converted in his typical calm fashion, leaving Chelsea in total control heading into the final stages.<\/p>\n
Four minutes later Jorginho was hopping and skipping his way to another penalty goal, but only after Abraham had tried to swipe the spot-kick.<\/p>\n
Skipper Azpilicueta was having none of it, calmly removing the ball from Abraham\u2019s grasp and handing it to Jorginho.<\/p>\n