As the fireworks popped off in the picturesque background of the Lincoln Financial Field - with the Philadelphia skyline in view - it was Chelsea's new signing Joao Pedro looking to make some sort of bang of his own.

It was Independence Day in the United States - a federal holiday celebrated up and down the country on July 4 every year - and there was very much a party atmosphere in Philadelphia, starting in the day and going well into the evening. While Chelsea's players have not won anything (trophy-wise, anyway) just yet, it was very much a party atmosphere in the changing room post-match.

Joao Pedro, who was signed from Brighton for £55million earlier in the week, was thrown on in the second-half to make his Chelsea debut. The Brazilian forward could be seen showing off some of the dancing skills he learned in his homeland in front of his new teammates. It looked to be some sort of initiation for the new signing, although he may well have been delighted with the events in Pennsylvania.

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As far as debuts go, it was very impressive. When Joao Pedro joined up with his new teammates in their training base in Miami, he was cutting his holiday short. There were, however, no signs of rustiness from the man Enzo Maresca is hoping can add another dimension to his attacking line.

"Since he arrived, the reason why we decided for him is because since he arrived, even if he was on holiday, he looks sharp, he looks good," Maresca said about his decision to use Joao Pedro after just a few days with his new teammates. "And we gave him some minutes.

"Also, I think he was just inside when they scored. And I think since he was inside, him and Noni, I think, again, we were much better. So, we knew him very well. The reason why he's here is because we like him and we are sure that he's going to help us."

It was quite clear from early on that Marc Cucurella had been tasked with trying to prevent Estevao Willian from getting any sort of foothold in the game. Palmeiras' star player, who has now played his last game for the Brazilian club ahead of his move to Chelsea, is one of the most exciting youngsters in football at the moment and Cucurella was not in any mood for this to become yet another highlights reel.

The Spaniard, who has been immensely consistent throughout this extremely long season, was playing bad cop (not quite sure who the good cop was) on Friday evening. Cucurella really roughed him up. Perhaps it was a challenge Maresca set the left-back just so the head coach could gauge where the 18-year-old is with his physicality in the Premier League.

Estevao, though, did not shy away from the challenge. Instead, he thrived. The Brazilian winger scored a screamer in what was his last goal for Palmeiras. That made it 1-1 and he tried and tried to ensure it was not his final game for the club, but Chelsea just had too much for the Brazilians.

Cucurella did not want to be on the receiving end and become part of the aforementioned highlight reel. Yet Estevao still produced one, while Cucurella did well against him. In this case, both things can be true.

Sixteen minutes into the game, Chelsea supporters got to see a vintage Cole Palmer goal. Collecting the ball on the half turn, the Blues' new No.10 span with an immaculate first touch and drove into space before releasing a low side-footed effort into the bottom corner.

It was truly exceptional. Magic from Palmer, who looked somewhat back to his best at the Lincoln Financial Field. He thinks he should have had another goal to his name as well.

Perhaps it was not so obvious on television, but in the second-half, Noni Madueke was unleashed down the left-hand side and he could see his new teammate Joao Pedro peeling off the last defender. Madueke looked to put the ball just in front of the Brazilian but it ended up in the hands of the goalkeeper.

Madueke perhaps should have looked at Palmer, who was hovering around the penalty spot unmarked. The two are very close friends, but that was forgotten in that moment when Palmer furiously shouted in Madueke's direction to vent his frustration.

Speaking of Madueke, it seemed rather telling what Maresca said about his future post-match. On the day where rumours over the 23-year-old wanting to join Arsenal were made public, Maresca said: "Noni has been very important for us during this season.

"Today, again, he has been important. But my message to the players and to the club is that I want just players that are happy to be with us. The ones that are not happy, they are free to go. It's not for Noni, it's for all the players we have. But again, Noni has been very good during the season and very good tonight."

Unprompted, Maresca hinted that Madueke has told Chelsea he wants to leave the club. Arsenal are interested in signing the England international, football.london understands, but nothing is advanced on that front at the time of writing.

Later in the press conference, Maresca confirmed Jamie Gittens will be moving to Chelsea. The 20-year-old, who will be moving to the Blues after a £55million agreement was reached with Borussia Dortmund last weekend, was pictured on the pitch post-match to celebrate with his new teammates.

Asked about Gittens being in Philadelphia, Maresca said: "Jamie was here tonight, he was on the pitch. And he will be with us probably one more day, two days more. And then he will go for a holiday and come back when we're going to start the new season."