Chelsea hero Noni Madueke reveals exact conversation with Conor Gallagher before scoring crucial penalty against Palace
NONI MADUEKE has revealed what he told Conor Gallagher before scoring his penalty winner against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
The Blues winger was Chelsea's hero in their 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea opened up the scoring against Palace with Mykhailo Mudryk's early goal.
Then Michael Olise's first-half stoppage time effort got his side back level.
But Olise's foul on Madueke inside the box in the dying minutes of the match saw the Blues awarded a penalty.
After VAR confirmed the decision, the winger confidently grabbed the ball and assured Gallagher that he would score from 12 yards to snatch the three points.
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Speaking to Chelsea's after the win, Madueke said: "It was always gonna be mine, I’m confident, confident from the spot so yeah.
"I just told him Gallagher don’t worry I’ll score.
"I scored one earlier this season against AFC Wimbledon. So when I saw the VAR give the penalty, there was no doubt in my mind that I would take it."
Madueke has had a tough campaign under Mauricio Pochettino after struggling with muscle injuries since the start of term.
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But the England U21 star is ready to make an "impact" when he is next called up by the Argentinian.
He continued: "It’s been a stop-start campaign for me. I’ve had little niggles, little injuries, things that haven’t quite gone my way.
"I'm happy to have an impact off the bench today and whether I start the next game – or have the same impact off the bench – is up to the manager."
The former PSV star moved to West London in January but only bagged one goal last season - in a 3-1 defeat against Arsenal.
With just 10 appearances this season, mostly from the bench, the strike against Palace was his first league goal of the campaign.
He now has two goals across all competitions this term, both from the penalty spot.