Chelsea vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
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A second-half goal from Kai Havertz proved enough to give Chelsea a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, easing the pressure on manager Graham Potter after a poor run of form.
The German striker nodded in a cross from Hakim Ziyech in the 65th minute following a short corner. It was only the second league win in 10 matches for the home side who remain in 10th place half-way through the season.
Chelsea were on top for much of the lively if scrappy derby, but Palace kept goalkeeper Kepa busy with efforts from Tyrick Mitchell, Michael Olise and Wilfried Zaha and he was forced into a leaping save from Cheick Doucoure towards the end of the second half.
Midway through the first half Chelsea announced Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk had become their fifth signing of the January transfer window, and the 22-year-old waved to fans from the pitch at halftime, a Ukraine flag draped round his shoulders.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Patrick Vieira makes just three changes from their defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup last weekend. Mitchell returns from suspension, with Schlupp and Eze also brought in. Ward, Hughes and Edouard all start on the bench.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Will Hughes, David Ozoh, Luka Milivojevic, Odsonne Edouard, James Tomkins, Joel Ward, Sam Johnstone, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Chris Richards.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
CRYSTAL PALACE STARTING XI (4-2-3-1): Vicente Guaita; Nathaniel Clyne, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell; Cheik Oumar Doucoure, Jeffrey Schlupp; Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Wilfried Zaha; Jordan Ayew.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
CHELSEA SUBS: Bashir Humphreys, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Datro Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mateo Kovacic, Marcus Bettinelli, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Marc Cucurella.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
CHELSEA STARTING XI (4-3-3): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, Lewis Hall; Conor Gallagher, Jorginho, Carney Chukwuemeka; Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Chelsea are going through a very rough patch, sitting in 10th in the table and coming into this game having won just one of their last 10 league games (D3 L5). Graham Potter will be looking to turn things around after being beaten in three consecutive matches in all competitions, with a 2-1 loss to Fulham in midweek following back-to-back defeats to Manchester City in the Premier League and FA Cup respectively. Palace sit just three points and two places below their opponents in the table and have won just one of their last five outings in all competitions (L4), but that victory did come in their last away match against Bournemouth.
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