Just five days ago, Mauricio Pochettino laid down a challenge to forgotten man Noni Madueke, urging the £30 million ($38m) signing to "raise his level" if he wanted to earn regular minutes at Stamford Bridge. And Madueke was clearly listening, as he emerged from obscurity to earn Chelsea all three points against Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening, winning and then scoring a late penalty to seal a sorely-needed 2-1 victory.
The Blues took the lead after 13 minutes when Mykhailo Mudryk converted smartly in the box following excellent work from the outstanding Malo Gusto. Chelsea would go on to dominate the first half, which made Michael Olise's stoppage-time equaliser - a back-post finish after a perfect Jordan Ayew cross - particularly sickening.
In the second half, the hosts struggled to break down a typically-stoic Roy Hodgson defence, but Nicolas Jackson eventually emerged as the main character in a chaotic four-minute spell, first missing a golden chance one on one and then having a redemptive goal ruled out for offside.
It would instead be Madueke who emerged as the hero, converting from 12 yards after being hacked down in the box by Eberechi Eze three minutes from time.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge...
