Wonderkid gets assist, MOTM and has impressive duels stats on superb full debut | OneFootball

The bad news from tonight’s team news was that Cole Palmer had to pull out in the warmup because of a knock.

The good news? He was replaced by perhaps the only player in the squad who can rival for him for entertainment value, Estevao Willian.

Chelsea fans have been able to see their new Brazilian superstar in action twice in friendly games and once as a sub last week, but tonight was his first competitive start in a Blue shirt – and he didn’t disappoint.

Estevao impresses on league debut

Estevao Willian bursts into the box to assist Enzo Fernandez. (Footage from Sky Sports)

It’s fair to say he didn’t make a great start – it was his flick in midfield which was picked off and punished by Lucas Paqueta for West Ham’s opening goal. But Estevao didn’t let his head drop, and he was soon doing what he does best, driving at defenders and making things happen.

Soon he went one better, creating action down Chelsea’s right with a neat one two, receiving the ball from Liam Delap on the edge of the box and streaking into it clear of chasing defenders. Most importantly, he made the right decision at the right moment, pulling the ball back to the onrushing Enzo Fernandez to tap in.

Stats and MOTM award show just how good Estevao was

That was Estevao’s first Premier League assist, in his first game. The stats for the Brazilian were superb too – led the team in passes in the final third, dribbles and even tackles. He got stuck in both attacking and defending – he won 5 of his 9 duels, second best in the team.

Marc Cucurella said at full time that Estevao “played an amazing game” and he was given Sky Sports’ man of the match award – not bad for a debut, eh?