Conor Gallagher broke Crystal Palace hearts with a brilliant late strike against his former club that gave Graham Potter his first win as Chelsea's head coach.

The Blues looked to be heading for another frustrating 1-1 draw - the same scoreline they achieved at home to Red Bull Salzburg in Potter's first game in charge 17 days ago - with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's goal all they could manage in response to Odsonne Edouard's early strike.

But Gallagher, who spent a hugely impressive season on loan at Palace before returning to his boyhood club this summer, had other ideas, bending a stunning effort past the desperate dive of Vicente Guaita and into the top corner as the game ticked into stoppage time.

Gallagher's goal - his first for Chelsea - ensured his side extended their winning run against Palace to 11 matches and moved up to fifth in the Premier League, while Palace remain just two points above the drop zone.

Chelsea unconvincing but claim vital win

The habit of failing to turn dominant possession into points thanks to wastefulness in front of goal and carelessness in defence was regularly bemoaned by Thomas Tuchel, and it felt as though the message was soon to be repeated by his predecessor.

Chelsea started brightly in south London, with Kai Havertz and Mason Mount floating behind Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling in a fluid attacking set-up, but they proceeded to concede after less than impressive defending from Wesley Fofana.

The £70m-centre-back gifted the ball to Palace in his own half before failing to track the run of Edouard, who was free to turn home Jordan Ayew's right-wing cross after just seven minutes.

As is often the case with this Chelsea team, the blow of allowing their opponents to score appeared to shake them, and it was only thanks to Kepa Arrizabalaga - starting in place of the injured Edouard Mendy - that the damage wasn't more severe.

But gradually Chelsea recovered their composure and were rewarded shortly before half-time by Aubameyang, whose sharp finish on his league debut for the Blues was welcome following earlier misses from Mount and Sterling.

Palace were aggrieved that Thiago Silva, who provided Aubameyang with the assist, was still on the field after he survived a potential-red-card check by the VAR for handling the ball as the last man as Palace sought to break on goal.

In contrast to the first half, the second passed by largely without incident, with Chelsea facing up to the reality of lying 10 points behind early league leaders Arsenal and having just one win in five matches in all competitions.

That was until Gallagher's intervention, which gave his side their first away win since August 6 and saved Potter having to answer some awkward questions.

What's next?

Chelsea will look to kickstart their stalling Champions League campaign at home to AC Milan on Wednesday - kick-off at 8pm - before hosting Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm.

Crystal Palace's next outing is at home to Leeds on Super Sunday at 2pm - live on Sky Sports.

Teams

Crystal Palace Guaita, Clyne (Tomkins 43), Ward (c), Guehi, Mitchell, Eze (Schlupp 74), Doucoure (Hughes 84), Olise, Edouard (Mateta 84), J. Ayew, Zaha
Subs Not Used Johnstone, Milivojevic, Ebiowei, Riedewald, Gordon
Booked Edouard, Vieira
Goals Edouard 7

Chelsea Kepa, James, Silva, Fofana, Chilwell, Mount (Pulisic 84), Jorginho (c) (Loftus-Cheek 56), Kovacic, Havertz (Gallagher 76), Aubameyang (Broja 75), Sterling
Subs Not Used Bettinelli, Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Koulibaly, Ziyech
Booked Silva, Mount, Kovacic
Goals Aubameyang 38, Gallagher 90

Attendance 25,198

Referee Chris Kavanagh

VAR Stuart Attwell