<p>Conor Gallagher scored twice on Monday to hand his old team, Crystal Palace, a crushing 3-1 loss and keep Chelsea’s hopes of playing in Europe next year alive.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-408252″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-chelsea-defeats-palace-thanks-to-gallaghers-brace-3-1-gallagh-d-11zon-750×422.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com chelsea defeats palace thanks to gallaghers brace 3 1 gallagh d 11zon” width=”1074″ height=”604″ title=”Chelsea defeats Palace thanks to Gallagher's brace. 3-1 3″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-chelsea-defeats-palace-thanks-to-gallaghers-brace-3-1-gallagh-d-11zon-750×422.jpg 750w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-chelsea-defeats-palace-thanks-to-gallaghers-brace-3-1-gallagh-d-11zon-1024×576.jpg 1024w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-chelsea-defeats-palace-thanks-to-gallaghers-brace-3-1-gallagh-d-11zon-768×432.jpg 768w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-chelsea-defeats-palace-thanks-to-gallaghers-brace-3-1-gallagh-d-11zon-390×220.jpg 390w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-chelsea-defeats-palace-thanks-to-gallaghers-brace-3-1-gallagh-d-11zon-150×84.jpg 150w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-chelsea-defeats-palace-thanks-to-gallaghers-brace-3-1-gallagh-d-11zon.jpg 1280w” sizes=”(max-width: 1074px) 100vw, 1074px” /></p>
<p>Jefferson Lerma’s long-range goal opened the score, setting up the injury-ravaged Eagles for a decisive victory in their fight to stay in the Premier League. Gallagher’s equalizer two minutes into the second half undid Palace, who have only won three times in 19 outings.</p>
<p>Chelsea moved up to 10th place and within two points of seventh place when Gallagher scored his second goal of the game and Enzo Fernandez added the third in stoppage time.</p>
<p>Palace’s loss keeps them in 15th place, five points above the relegation zone. Under pressure Palace coach Roy Hodgson stated, “It was very cruel, but the game is about goals, and unfortunately we made mistakes which led to goals.” Due to serious injuries, all three of the home team’s main players—Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, and Marc Guehi—were ruled out. The supporters are targeting Hodgson and the club’s board, and banners that were raised before to kickoff criticized the team for having a “weak club culture” and a “weak transfer policy.”</p>
