Returning Estevao brings X-factor to strikerless Chelsea

Estevao Willian had not started a Premier League match this season before his electric display against Manchester United on Saturday.

The 19-year-old winger was an unused substitute for the midweek penalty shootout defeat by Liverpool but was still serenaded with chants from away fans at Anfield.

Three days later, after questions had been raised about the Brazil international's lack of opportunities, Chelsea supporters made their feelings clear.

Early on against United at Stamford Bridge, supporters chanted "Steve-o", their tongue-in-cheek nickname for the £38m signing from Palmeiras.

This time he was on the field, making things happen in a team that lacked a recognised striker, and the loud backing from the stands appeared justified.

Estevao had an early goal ruled out for offside before another fine near-post finish in the second half was disallowed - a marginal decision.

At the end of his 86-minute display in the Blues' 2-0 victory, Estevao received a standing ovation from the home crowd and a hug from Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso.

He had six shots, the joint-most by a Chelsea player in a Premier League match this season, along with a host of other impressive attacking contributions.

He recorded 12 touches in the opposition penalty area, created three chances, delivered eight crosses and completed five dribbles - all either the most or joint-most by a Chelsea player in Saturday's match.

Estevao's limited recent involvement remains curious. Before this, he had made only one start this season, against League One side Luton Town in the Carabao Cup in September.

It has led to speculation in the Brazilian media that he is unhappy or pushing for a move.

However, both publicly and privately, sources at Chelsea and those close to Estevao have suggested no signs of discontent.

There has been widespread praise for his professionalism behind the scenes and a feeling that he has been unfortunate, not least with the form of Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, which has limited his opportunities.

Chelsea's tendency to score first or take early leads has also meant more defensive options have often been chosen from the bench.

There was talk before Saturday's match that Alonso was keeping his plans to start Estevao against Manchester United under wraps, having faced questions from the media about the winger in the build-up.

He confirmed after the victory that the decision had already been made. In fact, it was made in the aftermath of last weekend's home defeat by Tottenham.

"We spoke after Tottenham and he knew that he was going to be playing tonight, today," Alonso said.

"He has had the best response to show that he deserves more, that he was prepared, and that's what you want from a football player, so I'm very happy for him.

"He deserved to enjoy his game. He had a good connection with the crowd. He was really close to scoring that goal. At the end he fought really hard. He was tired and it has been a good day for him."

The performance will only increase pressure on Alonso to keep Estevao in the side and ensure this was not a one-off.

Chelsea looked rudderless until Rogers took the game by the scruff of the neck in the 50th minute.

Receiving the ball from midfielder Romeo Lavia, the £117m club record signing slalomed through the Manchester United defence before lifting a delicate chip over Senne Lammens.

It was a moment of magic, described by TNT Sports pundit and former Chelsea attacker Joe Cole as "Gascoigne-esque", and one that exposed United's poor defending.

The goal came after Michael Carrick's visitors had dominated the first half but failed to take their chances, with Rogers' strike settling a disjointed Chelsea team.

Serious problems remain for Chelsea, not least the absence of eight players before kick-off, with first-choice striker Joao Pedro's injury arguably the most damaging in the short term.

The Brazilian suffered a thigh injury before the 2-0 home loss to Tottenham, a match that produced Chelsea's poorest attacking display of the season and the first time they had failed to score.

Rogers struggled as a central striker in that game, while alternative option Danny Welbeck, signed from Brighton in the summer, remained on the bench.

However, after scoring in the penalty shootout defeat at Liverpool in midweek, Alonso kept faith with Rogers up front and was rewarded.

The solo effort was Rogers' sixth goal of the season in all competitions, to go with four assists. The forward has now been involved in 10 goals in 13 appearances, while no Chelsea player has featured more often this season.

Rogers became just the second Premier League player, after Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, to reach 10 goal involvements.

Palmer's first goal in six games came from the penalty spot and effectively sealed victory, following a week on from his red card in the defeat by Spurs.

Although Chelsea remain a work in progress structurally, with Alonso saying his side will "look very different" and be "better" by the end of the season, their attack remains potent enough to outgun opponents.

Once again, with so many available attacking options, Alonso kept United guessing, with Rogers and winger Pedro Neto often in central positions.

It worked on this occasion as two natural strikers, Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha, were left on the bench.

"Today has worked really well," Alonso said. "We need to be creative at times and try to find solutions with the players available. Even Pedro [Neto] has worked really hard in that position. It's not new for him."