Alvaro Morata helps Chelsea to hard-fought victory against Crystal Palace
Alvaro Morata scored twice as unbeaten Chelsea climbed to second in the Premier League with a 3-1 victory against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
After Liverpool drew at Arsenal on Saturday, Chelsea knew victory would send them second and in-form Spain forward Morata saw them on their way with two smart finishes.
First the 26-year-old skilfully controlled and converted Pedro's cross in the 32nd minute, then -- after Andros Townsend equalised -- the often maligned Morata lashed home from a tight angle in the 65th minute for his fourth goal in four league matches.
Pedro then sealed the victory five minutes later, ghosting into the box to convert Marcos Alonso's cross in the 70th minute for a Chelsea side, who also welcomed back Eden Hazard as a second-half substitute.
Chelsea, one of three unbeaten sides, have 27 points from 11 games -- two fewer than leaders Manchester City -- and lead Liverpool in third on goal difference.
Palace, meanwhile, have won just twice in the league this season and remain 14th with eight points.
The teams are out at Stamford Bridge and kick off is moments away. Chelsea are without Eden Hazard, but are still strong favourites. A win today would take Maurizio Sarri's side to second in the Premier League.
Palace, off the back of a 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend, will be hoping for a shock result. Follow all the action live here.
Chelsea appear to have settled into the game after a slow start. They're enjoying most of the possession and starting to look threatening. Palace, though, have shown that they're dangerous on the break.
A promising Palace counter comes to nothing. Van Aanholt bursts forward from left back and Zaha picks him out. His cross is poor, though, and it's easily cleared.
Zaha drives forward from deep as Palace look to spring another counter. He's brought down and the resulting free kick comes to nothing. But Chelsea are not comfortable here.
Chelsea are trying to stretch Palace, to create chances from wide areas. They've put in a number of crosses towards Morata, but the visitors are defending resolutely.
Chelsea are in front after a good spell of pressure. Pedro picks out Morata, who takes a clever first touch, turns and fires past Hennessey. The Spaniard has started brightly and gets his reward.
Barkley's eyes light up as he receives the ball on the edge of the box. He's been in good goal scoring form and he can't be blamed for hitting one. This time, though, he balloons his shot over the bar.
Morata tries to flick a header towards goal but can only loop it over the bar. He looks confident and hungry for more goals, which will please Maurizio Sarri.
All seemed to be going to plan for Palace in the opening 30 minutes. But Chelsea, since scoring, have moved up the gears. They're a formidable opponent when at their best, and they're starting to show why they're yet to lose a Premier League game this season.
Half time: Chelsea, after a slow start, take a narrow lead into the break. Morata's goal is all that separates the sides, although the Blues threatened to run away with the game as the first half progressed. Palace are still in this, though.
