Blues leapfrog Liverpool in top four race as 'Super Steve' sparkles for Rosenior

Catch him if you can, but as Crystal Palace and Tyrick Mitchell discovered here, it can take some doing to stop ‘Super Steve’.

That may not sound the sexiest name for a superhero, but in Estevao, Chelsea do possess someone with special powers.

He is their 18-year-old Brazilian who they have tried to hold back for his own good since arriving in England, but who continues to embrace those expectations heaped upon him.

Here at Selhurst Park, he was at his unleashed best with his goal which opened the scoring after 34 minutes worth breaking down in its entirety.

It started with Chelsea heading clear a Palace set-piece and Enzo Fernandez ensuring the ball did not go out of play to avoid another long throw-in routine. While doing so, Fernandez pressed Jaydee Canvot, who had possession but not the foggiest idea what to do with it.

Canvot figured going all the way backwards was his best bet. However, Estevao had sensed what was coming. He started sprinting from deep inside his own half to intercept that pass. He had 60 yards to run with Mitchell as his shadow, maybe more.

Estevao used his body brilliantly to stop Mitchell from ever being able to stick in a boot. His dash towards the left of Palace’s box pulled Dean Henderson to one side, opening up space on the other. His choice of finish was almost a dig with backspin to lift the ball.

With that, Chelsea led 1-0, and their second goal in the 50th minute came after Estevao’s cushioned ball in behind, though Trevoh Chalobah deserves credit also.

That move started with Chalobah dispossessing Jean-Philippe Mateta before playing a direct pass into the feet of Joao Pedro. Chelsea’s striker held it up, spread play to Estevao, received the ball back, cut inside and beat Henderson.

VAR sparks confusion

While falling 3-0 down, Palace supporters started singing: ‘It’s not football anymore.’ They were not directing those chants at their team, but rather VAR.

Chelsea’s third goal came from the penalty spot. Jaydee Canvot had stopped Joao Pedro from scoring using his arm. Referee Darren England studied the incident at his pitch-side monitor and after a few viewings, he came to his conclusion and readied his stadium announcement.

‘It's an accidental handball, not deliberate,’ England began, which prompted a few Palace fans to prematurely start celebrating.

However, he then continued: 'It is an accidental handball, therefore it is a penalty, but because it is accidental, it is only a yellow card.’

This came 24 hours after England acted as VAR in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Wolves, after which Pep Guardiola said his side won ‘despite’ the officials.

And still no Palmer...

The way this contest unfolded for Chelsea, they were able to save the legs of several stars before their big Champions League trip to Napoli this week, and that was ideal.

Moises Caicedo, Estevao and Pedro Neto were removed before the 75th minute, while Reece James lasted 81 and Joao Pedro, 85.

As for Cole Palmer, since Liam Rosenior became Chelsea head coach, he has got to use his playmaker only once: handing him 90 minutes in their Premier League home win over Brentford.

But this was the fourth game under Rosenior in which Palmer was missing from the match-day squad. Sources told Daily Mail Sport this trip came a day too early after a minor thigh injury, that it was not an issue with his groin, and he should be good to go for their Champions League showdown with Napoli on Wednesday.