EPL: Pochettino didn’t plan for Madueke to be the one taking the penalty against Crystal Palace.

Mauricio Pochettino, the manager of Chelsea, disclosed that Noni Madueke was not initially designated as the penalty taker during their 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Despite captain Conor Gallagher being intended to take the penalty, he deferred to Madueke, who calmly converted the decisive goal in the last two minutes of regulation time.

Explaining the decision to allow Madueke to take the penalty, especially in the absence of suspended players Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer, Pochettino commented, “Originally, it was Conor [Gallagher], and I told him, ‘It’s you, but if you’re not confident enough, give it to Noni.’ I am delighted and pleased. Coming off the bench, he displayed remarkable hunger and confidence.”