‘Really good from the manager’ - Conor Gallagher pinpoints key Mauricio Pochettino tactical change to help Chelsea overcome terrible first-half in Crystal Palace win

Chelsea had originally fallen behind to a Jefferson Lerma screamer at Selhurst Park. But Gallagher equalised straight after half-time, before scoring a decisive second for the Blues in stoppage time. Enzo Fernandez made it 3-1 even later, with Gallagher interviewed by Sky Sports afterwards.

Gallagher heaped the praise on his manager, stating: "In the second half the gaffer gave us more structure in their half of the pitch to try and create more chances. Having the two strikers to make more runs in behind to create more space which I think it did. It was really good from the manager and definitely helped us to play better."

Gallagher is making his mark on Chelsea this season in a way that he couldn't in 2022/23 when he he started fewer than half the team's games. So far in 2023/24, the 24-year-old has started all but one of Chelsea's Premier League fixtures, even captaining the side before Ben Chilwell returned from injury. More recently, Pochettino has deployed Gallagher as a 'number 10', despite fans more used to seeing him a bit deeper.

On his positional preference, he added: "I've played in a number of positions this season, more so holding midfield. I'm happy to play anywhere for the manager. I'm happy wherever I play. No problem."

With an embarrassing home defeat to Wolves still a recent memory, Chelsea have to make the momentum of two consecutive wins count after adding the victory over Palace to midweek's FA Cup replay win against Aston Villa. That is doubly important because, after facing Manchester City in the Premier League next weekend, it's the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley and an opportunity for major silverware in Pochettino's first year in charge.