Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: N'Golo Kante fires Maurizio Sarri's side to victory
Re-live the action from Selhurst Park
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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:
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Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
74 minutes
Giroud has the ball in the net again, and it's another excellent finish. But, once again, the flag is up. Replays show that he was only marginally offside.
Kante is clearly enjoying his new role. His goal looks to have put Chelsea on their way to a big win here.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
76 minutes
Giroud took a knock after smashing the ball past Guaita for a second time. He hobbles off, to be replaced by Morata.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
78 minutes
Palace make another change: Max Meyer is on for Cheikhou Kouyate.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
82 minutes
Palace don't look capable of getting back into this one. Chelsea are passing the ball around with ease, and goalkeeper Kepa has been a spectator throughout.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
83 minutes
Emerson is on for Willian as Chelsea make a second substitution.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
85 minutes
Better from Palace. They work the ball across the box, Zaha feeds Van Aanholt and his effort is deflected over the bar.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
86 minutes
Zaha goes for goal this time, attempting to curl one into the far corner. He gets it wrong and it flies over. Palace are, at least, forcing Chelsea into some defending now.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
88 minutes
Chelsea make their final change: Kovacic is on for Barkley.
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