Chelsea stops the rot, edges past Crystal Palace

This win coupled with the $108 million signing of Mykhailo Mudryk means there is a more positive vibe in the air after three defeats in four before this victory.

It was just their second win in their last 10 Premier League games as Kai Havertz’s second half header was enough to squeeze past a stubborn Palace side.

After suffering so many injuries, Potter once again shuffled his lineup around and Chelsea played with more intensity but still gave up plenty of chances as both goalkeepers were the stars of the show.

Chelsea now have 28 points on the season, while Crystal Palace remains on 22 as Patrick Vieira’s side have won just one of their last seven games in all competitions.

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FULL TIME: Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace – Late on Palace threw everything at Chelsea but they couldn’t create a clear chance to equalize. The Blues dug in well.

Save! What a stop from Kepa to deny Doucoure’s effort. Palace pushing hard to equalize late on.

Chances! Chelsea should be 2-0 up. Aubameyang is played in but Guaita comes out to save bravely. A few minutes later Havertz is found at the back post but he heads wide. Big opportunities.

GOALLL! Kai Havertz puts Chelsea 1-0 up. He heads home after a short corner is whipped in. Relief around Stamford Bridge. Great header by Havertz.

Chelsea have started well in the second half. They are controlling the tempo of the game. It is a little less back and forth.

HALF TIME: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace – An entertaining first half as both goalkeepers have been called into action often. Good intensity about Chelsea’s play.

Save! Kepa with another great stop, as he denies a flicked header at the near post after a superb corner is whipped in. At the other end Guaita tips over a volley from Hakim Ziyech.

Close! Lewis Hall is found by Conor Gallagher at the back post and his shot back across goal takes a flick off Guaita and goes wild. Again, much better play from Chelsea. Graham Potter applauds from the sidelines. They’re getting the ball forward wide early and often and getting into the box.

Over! Kai Havertz nods over and he probably should hit the target. Guaita did just enough to put him off. Better from Chelsea, though.

Save! Vicente Guaita saves down low from Thiago Silva. Great effort and a great save.

Save! Kepa pushes away a brilliant volley from Michael Olise. It is all Palace right now.

Close! Chalobah and Kepa deny Palace with two fine blocks from close range. Palace are having all the play.

KICK OFF: We are underway at the Bridge and it is a tight, tense start. Chelsea are struggling to knit together passes.

11 is also the number of players Potter will be without when he picks Sunday’s team, with N’Golo Kante, Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, Christian Pulisic, Reece James, Wesley Fofana and five others currently out injured. It’s little wonder Chelsea have struggled to score goals and win games of late, but that hasn’t prevented the criticism currently coming Potter’s way.

As for Palace, the 4-0 defeat to Tottenham the last time out was a particularly low point in an ongoing run of bad results. Losing 3-0 to Fulham was perhaps even worse. The Eagles have failed to score a goal in three of their last four PL games as they generate precious scoring chances and struggle to finish the ones they do create.

OUT: N’Golo Kante (hamstring), Raheem Sterling (thigh), Joao Felix (suspension), Christian Pulisic (knee), Reece James (knee), Wesley Fofana (knee), Edouard Mendy (shoulder), Ben Chilwell (thigh), Armando Broja (knee), Denis Zakaria (thigh)

OUT: Nathan Ferguson (undisclosed), James McArthur (groin)

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Chelsea stops the rot, edges past Crystal Palace originally appeared on NBCSports.com