Liam Rosenior has labeled Chelsea’s performance in their 3-1 win over 10-man Crystal Palace on Sunday as ‘outstanding’, as they leapfrogged Liverpool into fifth place on the standings.
The Blues continued their impressive record against Crystal Palace and extended their unbeaten run to 18 league matches after Sunday’s victory.
It was also Rosenior’s second league match at the dugout since replacing Enzo Maresca earlier in the month and he has now won four of his first five matches at the club.
Speaking after the match, the former Strasbourg head coach singled out Estevao Willian for praise and was also pleased with the performances of the entire team
“It says what we already know. He’s a player with special ability, special talent. He’s been ill and every time he’s been on the pitch with me so far, he’s been outstanding”, Rosenior stated.
“But I feel, if you watch that goal, what makes me so happy is all 11 men are back behind the ball. That’s why he gets the space.
“I don’t want to talk too much about individuals; I thought it was a top team performance away from home; from Joao Pedro’s pressing, Pedro Neto and Estevao from the front, the two midfield players, and the defenders had to defend really well against the presence of Mateta.
“So Estevao, so happy with him, but so happy with the whole team.”
Chelsea eased to a 3-1 win in Sunday’s London derby clash at Selhurst Park to move to fifth on the standings.
Estevao opened the scoring in the first half before Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez added two more in the second half.
Crystal Palace were reduced to 10 men in the second half after Adam Wharton was sent off, before Chris Richards scored a late consolation for Oliver Glasner’s men.
“Today was a huge test. I changed the shape. It’s hard to explain; it’s like a semi-four, semi-five at the back, with Andrey Santos in between”, the Englishman continued.
“For them to go and put on – from a tactical point of view – the performance they did, in two days, makes me very pleased because pretty much 95 per cent of the press, 95 per cent of the positioning was absolutely perfect.
“They are engaged, I think they are believing in what they are doing, but it’s one game. We have to make sure we’re consistent in every game we play, Rosenior concluded.
Chelsea return to action on Wednesday night, when they head to Italy to face Napoli in their final UCL league-phase match.
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