Estevao Willian replaced the injured Cole Palmer and inspired a comfortable win over Crystal Palace that moved Chelsea back into the Premier League’s top four.
Goals from Estevao, Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez earned the points at Selhurst Park, while Palace’s England midfielder Adam Wharton was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the space of six second‑half minutes.
Chris Richards headed in a consolation goal from close range late on.
Palace had looked the more likely to score first early in the match. Striker Jean‑Philippe Mateta, linked with Aston Villa and Juventus, went one‑on‑one with Robert Sanchez but hit his shot straight at the Chelsea goalkeeper.
Fernandez and Caicedo had efforts for Chelsea, with returning Palace winger Ismaila Sarr, fresh from winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, having an attempt at the other end before Estevao opened the scoring in the 34th minute.
He latched on to a poor back-pass from Jaydee Canvot, used his pace to escape marker Tyrick Mitchell and drove a firm shot past Dean Henderson.
The 18-year-old Brazilian had a further attempt before the interval – and after the break, he clipped a pass to forward Joao Pedro, who turned Palace midfielder Wharton, before shooting through Henderson to double the advantage.
After a lengthy check by the video assistant referee, Chelsea were then awarded a penalty – Joao Pedro’s goalbound effort having struck Canvot’s hand inside the box – and Fernandez converted.
Minutes after earning a first yellow card for pulling Caicedo, Wharton was late in a tackle, earned his second booking and was sent off.
It was a miserable afternoon for Palace despite Richards heading in from a corner in the 88th minute as they dropped from 13th to 15th, eight points above the relegation zone.
New Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has overseen back-to-back Premier League wins, the first time they have managed that since November, in his first two top-flight matches since replacing Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea leapfrogged Liverpool back into the top four, although they have played one game more than Manchester United, who travel to Arsenal later in the day.
Crystal Palace analysis: Time to look over the shoulder
Palace’s supporters began the afternoon by showing their backing for the team and manager Oliver Glasner. They will have ended it worrying about relegation.
Chairman Steve Parish was watching on as Glasner was cheered on to the pitch before kick-off. It was the manager’s first home match since announcing he will leave Palace when his contract expires in June.
Glasner had confirmed what many had long suspected, with his contract nearing its end and open criticisms of the south Londoners’ transfer policy dating back to midway through the summer window.
He complained when losing Eberechi Eze to Arsenal and Marc Guehi to Manchester City – sales that have brought Palace back down to earth after winning the FA Cup and qualifying for Europe at the end of last season.
Yet the atmosphere inside the stadium remained upbeat, with supporters getting behind their team regardless of the off‑field turmoil. There was little difference between the two teams in the first half but Chelsea took their first big chance – and Palace didn’t – and the visitors pressed home their advantage after half-time.
Palace striker Mateta, who wants to leave and has been linked with Aston Villa and Juventus, was the one who squandered their big chance. Meanwhile, Guehi’s replacement Canvot cost Palace with a poor backpass for the opener and a handball for the third.
Making matters worse, Wharton’s poor decisions led to a sending off, and he will now miss a key trip to Nottingham Forest, who sit just below Palace in the table.
Palace are without a win in eight league matches – 11 in all competitions – with only Burnley currently on a longer streak in the top flight. They should, therefore, be looking over their shoulder at Forest and West Ham, the latter having won their past two home games, in an increasingly competitive battle to avoid relegation to the Championship.
