Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: N'Golo Kante fires Maurizio Sarri's side to victory
Re-live the action from Selhurst Park
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.N'Golo Kante earned Chelsea a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace to boost the Blues' bid for a place in the Premier League's top four.
Kante, a World Cup winner with France last summer, has been deployed in a more advanced position on the right side of midfield by Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea.
He netted his third Premier League goal of the season at Selhurst Park as Chelsea ended Palace's three-match unbeaten run to move five points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal in the battle for Champions League qualification.
Willian and Ross Barkley had hit posts in quick succession in the first half and the hosts' performance showed little of the style and substance which had earned victory at Manchester City eight days earlier. Re-live the action below:
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Chelsea
49 minutes
A similar pattern, unsurprisingly, has resumed after the break. Chelsea are probing, but still struggling to create anything.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea (Kante)
51 minutes
From nowhere, Chelsea lead. Kante makes a run in behind and David Luiz picks him out with a deft ball over the top. The Frenchman chests it down and guides the ball past Guaita with his left foot. It's further vindication for Sarri, who has persisted with Kante in this advanced role.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
55 minutes
Palace will have to change their approach now. They've hardly been out of their own half and done nothing to concern Chelsea in an attacking sense. The gameplan had been working, but their dependence on keeping a clean sheet might cost them here.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
57 minutes
Willian is down after a coming together with Milivojevic. Palace broke forward encouragingly but have lacked any real quality in the final third so far.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
62 minutes
Not much has changed since the goal. Chelsea continue to dominate the ball and look the more likely to score again. Palace's attacks are sporadic and disjointed.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
64 minutes
Azpilicueta breaks into the box and looks to pick out a teammate. Schlupp gets back, though, and dispossesses him. Chelsea are in complete control. This has, for long periods, looked more like a training session than a football match.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
67 minutes
Townsend breaks down the right and crosses. The ball in is blocked but there are some shouts of handball from the home support. There's no real conviction in the appeals for a penalty, though.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
68 minutes
Hazard stands up Palace's defenders and flicks the ball into the path of Willian, The Brazilian's shot is saved and Barkley fires the rebound towards goal. It's deflected just wide of the far post.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
69 minutes
Palace make their first change: Connor Wickham replaces Jeffrey Schlupp.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments