Manchester United vs Chelsea live updates: 2-1 result reaction as ...

Last month, Mauricio Pochettino rejected comparisons of Palmer to Juan Mata, instead saying he played more like Angel Di Maria.

“You know, the body and the way he moves. I think he’s a clever guy who adapts really quickly. We are building a team and he was quick to see the situation, take it, show character and personality, and then good performances,” said the Chelsea manager.

His equaliser at Old Trafford was his first open-play goal for Chelsea; a smart, far-post finish after an incisive dribble into the box, taking Mykhailo Mudryk’s pass in his stride. That can be added to four penalties (from as many attempts) this season and five assists, the most goal involvements of any Chelsea player.

The 21-year-old only made two Premier League starts for Manchester City before his summer move to London but developed a reputation for scoring in big games — ironically, like Di Maria — and has become an emblem of Pochettino’s young, evolving midfield.

Palmer was a winger at youth level but is increasingly playing in central areas, as you can see from his pitch map. He takes Chelsea’s set pieces, too, and is one of the most cerebral players on the pitch with the rate at which he scans the field.

This type of game, with gaping holes in midfield and space to glide into, suited Palmer perfectly. He is tall for a winger, at 6ft 2in (188cm), but a fine technician — reflected in his pass accuracy of over 90 per cent.