STAMFORD BRIDGE, LONDON — On an afternoon in west London that began with a touching tribute to Chelsea legend Gianluca Vialli, who tragically passed away earlier this month, and also saw the Blues announce the signing of €100m man Mykhailo Mudryk, the actual football on show could have been quite the subplot. Chelsea vs Crystal Palace result & highlights
Yet Chelsea emerged as 1-0 winners in an exciting London derby as Kai Havertz scored his fifth league goal of the season to earn a vital three points for the Blues.
An entertaining first 45 minutes of action saw both goalkeepers deliver a couple of saves each taken right out the drop drawer.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was the first who needed to be at his best to deny Tyrick Mitchell’s shot from close range at the back post and then later tip over Michael Olise’s thunderous half-volley from the edge of the box on 20 minutes.
At the other end, it was Chelsea’s defenders who drew the best out of Vicente Guaita. Thiago Silva must have thought his half-volley from the edge of the box at a corner was destined for the back of the net until the goalkeeper got down brilliantly to deny him with his left hand. Lewis Hall looked lively on the left and caused Nathaniel Clyne problems and should have converted Conor Gallagher’s low cross, but he fluffed his lines.
With Havertz struggling up top, it was Palace’s attackers who came close to scoring at the end of the first half. This time, Kepa showing brilliant reactions to deny Jeffrey Schlupp’s near post header from Olise’s corner.
But Havertz’s struggles and missed opportunities were forgotten about by the time he’d put Chelsea ahead on 64 minutes, rising highest in the box from Hakim Ziyech’s cross to head home from close range and give Potter some breathing space.
Palace had chances once again late on, the best a Doucoure volley from 20 yards that again prompted a stunning save from Kepa, and by the end Potter brought on defensive reinforcements to grind out the game out and hold on for three points.
Chelsea starting XI (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga — Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Hall (77′ Koulibaly) — Gallagher, Jorginho, Chukwuemeka (62′ Aubameyang) — Ziyech (89′ Azpilicueta), Havertz (89′ Kovacic), Mount
Crystal Palace starting XI (4-3-3): Guaita (GK) — Clyne, Guehi, Andersen (37′ Tomkins), Mitchell — Olise, Doucoure, Schlupp (69′ Hughes) — Eze (69′ Mateta), Zaha, Ayew (69′ Edouard)
Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace final score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Chelsea | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Crystal Palace | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Goals:
CHE — Havertz (64th min)
