Conor Gallagher admitted he ‘had a feeling’ he would score against Crystal Palace as the midfielder helped his former club.
The Chelsea youngster spent last season on loan at Selhurst Park and was a big hit for the club and a big hit with the fans.
Although he wanted to sign him this summer, the 22-year-old opted to stay with the Blues in order to fight for a place at Stamford Bridge.
Despite not being named in the starting XI by new manager Graham Potter, Gallagher certainly made an impression off the bench as he scored a superb long-range effort to earn a 2-1 win for the club. west London.
Gallagher spoke after the game and although delighted with his efforts, he also had a special word for Palace fans.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Gallagher said: “It was a special moment for me to score my first goal for Chelsea.
“It’s one of my childhood dreams and of course it had to come against Palace!
“I have to be very grateful to the Palace supporters above all for the welcome they gave me before the match, and even after I scored.
“I have to thank them and it was an amazing feeling, but to score my first goal for Chelsea and get the three points was just amazing and hopefully I can continue now.
“When I was on the bench, I was like, ‘Send me because I have a feeling!’ And as soon as I got to that half yard, I was like, ‘Just shoot,’ and as soon as he left my boot, I knew he had a chance, so I buzzed .”
Asked about the challenge of breaking into Chelsea’s starting XI, Gallagher added: “I just have to keep working hard and impressing the manager here.
“There are a lot of top players in this Chelsea team, so it won’t be easy to get the playing time that I want.
“But I’m going to do my best to show that I’m ready and I want to be as efficient as possible when given the chance.”