Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opens Chelsea’s account – but should Thiago Silva have been on the pitch to provide an assist? Crystal Palace smokes during deliberate hand ball

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his first Chelsea goal at Crystal Palace – but Thiago Silva was lucky to stay on the pitch and create it.

Summer signing Aubameyang canceled out Osdonne Edouard’s opener to equalize for the Blues with a smart finish.

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The Gabon striker allowed a clever header from Silva to roll over his body and fly into the bottom corner to launch his Chelsea career.

However, Palace will argue that Blues defender Silva should have been sent off moments before the assist.

The Brazilian veteran was taken into possession by Jordan Ayew and deliberately handled the ball to prevent the Palace man from going any further.

With Ayew 30 yards from goal, Silva was the last man and the Eagles players begged the referee for a red card.

Silva escaped with yellow and a lengthy VAR check concluded he hadn’t denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.

West Ham legend Alvin Martin, reacting to talkSPORT comments, said: “You can see why they are looking for a red card because he handled the ball deliberately.

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“He could leave. He stopped it with his hand.

“There must have been a disagreement in the VAR stand for it to take so long.”

After Aubameyang’s goal, Martin added: “Silva, many would say he’s lucky to be on the pitch and he played a part in the equalizer.

“It’s a deliberate handball. The only problem is that they think he was so far off the mark that he could have been caught.

“If Silva had jumped on his back and dragged him there, what would the referee have done? It would have been professional misconduct.

“I would have given a red. If I was Silva, I would be in the locker room thanking God.