CHELSEA fans loved Conor Gallagher’s “priceless” reaction to Enzo Fernandez’s stunning free-kick against Aston Villa.
The Blues produced a much-improved display to beat Unai Emery‘s side 3-1 away from home.
Mauricio Pochettino‘s men booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round courtesy of goals by Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson and Fernandez.
The Blues’ third strike came via a sumptuous free-kick.
Villa stars contested the awarding of the set piece, believing that little contact had actually been made on Fernandez.
Nevertheless, the Argentine dusted himself down and produced a moment of stunning quality.
The 23-year-old curled the ball right into the top corner, wheeling away with his shirt off in a flash to celebrate.
From the reverse replay of the free-kick, fans spotted Gallagher’s stunned response.
The midfielder, 24, had been stood by the Aston Villa wall, making a nuisance of himself.
When the ball hit the back of the net he turned towards Fernandez with his mouth agape in complete wonder.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
Spotting his response, one fan wrote on social media: “Conor Gallagher‘s reaction to Enzo’s freekick is priceless!”
While a second gushed: “Absolutely love this!!!”
A third swooned: “Man was in awe.”
And a fourth admitted: “That’s my reaction too.”
Another added: “Gallagher was class today as well.”
Under-fire Pochettino was thrilled with his side’s display.
Asked by ITV if it that was his side’s best performance of the season, the 51-year-old said: “‘I think so.
“We were talking in the dressing room about the feelings with the players. One of the best, maybe the best performance of the season.
“it has arrived in a very good moment for us and I’m so happy with the performance.
“The way we played pleased me the most. We are a young team and you know always it’s about being solid and consistent and that is the most difficult thing in a young team.”
Pochettino then urged his side to emulate pundit Roy Keane, who was at the game for ITV.
He added: “We are a young team and Roy, you know very well that it’s about being solid and consistent and that’s the most difficult thing in a young team.
“We need a bigger mentality, sometimes the mentality of this guy [points at Keane], but it’s about finding a balance.
“For me I am so optimistic, I know at a club like Chelsea people aren’t patient and they don’t want to know about the circumstances but the reality is another thing, we’re not the Chelsea that was competing in a different time.”