Three points for the Blues as they hold onto 1-0 lead against Crystal Palace

By Paul Lagan at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 1 v Crystal Palace 0

Three points were far more important than any dashing, commanding performance for Chelsea and their narrow 1-0 win over Crystal Palace was just what the doctor ordered.

This was their second win in nine matches and it felt like it.

Relief was felt from the 40,000 in the stands

With new players coming through the door at Stamford Bridge like the first day of the sales at Harrods, it will be some time before their effect, good or bad will be felt on the pitch.

Chelsea remain 10th in the Premier League, the prospect of Champions League football next season nothing but a faint, distant hope.

Manager's post-match quotes here

The prospect of a relegation battle also a distant prospect, albeit slightly less distant.

Kai Havertz, an enigma in the Blue of Chelsea scored the goal that relieved the pressure on Graham Potter, for now.

Palace, for all their attacking prowess on the pitch, simply don’t create enough chances in front of goal, and they will have to contend with mid-table mediocrity, perhaps Chelsea will snuggle up to them - all will be revealed in the coming week, starting with a seeming UEFA Europa League Conference decider next week at Anfield against Liverpool.

Chelsea gave a debut to Benoit Badiashile in central defence but the same old failings reared their ugly head with Kepa and Thiago Silva getting in each other’s way allowing Tyrick Mitchell a snap shot which Kepa blocked, not closing down Michael Olise, forcing Kepa to redeem himself again with a fine acrobatic save.

Chelsea looked more comfortable going forward giving Kai Havertz the perfect chance on 33 minutes to latch onto a curler by Hakim Ziyech but his header looped over Vincente Guaita and the crossbar.

Quite how the ball did not end up in the back of Guaita’s net when the impressive Lewis Hall latched onto a Conor Gallagher byline cross. But the ball screamed across the goal line and deflected out by Guaita - the referee gave a goal kick.

Deep into added time, Kepa was called upon again to make a brilliant save from Cheick Doucoure.

There were no changes by either side at half time but Palace started the better.

Chelsea head coach decided that a change was needed and he replaced young midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka for striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on 62 minutes.

The result was instant and the Blues took the lead. From a corner the ball was given to Ziyech and he clipped in the perfect curling left-footer which was met on the head of Havertz, who directed the ball past Guaita.

Potter soon brought on Kalidou Koulibaly - off came Hall.

Kepa produced another Hollywood save, thwarting De life’s long range half-volley.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Mateo Kovacic came on with three minutes left, They replaced Ziyech and Havertz.

Palace piled on the pressure at the end and then seven added minutes seemed an eternity for the fans, players and stuff alike.

But they hung on.

Chelsea: Kepa, Badiashile, Jorginho, Silva, Chalobah, Mount, Ziyech, Gallagher, Havertz, Chukwuemeka, Hall

SubS: Bettinelli, Kovacic, Aubameyang, Loftus-Cheek, Forfana, Azpilicueta, Cucurella, Humphrey’s

Palace: Guaita, Mitchell, Guehi, Olise, Ayew, Eze, Zaha, Schlupp, Andersen, Clyne, Doucoure,

Subs: Johnstone, Ward, Milivojevic, Tomkins, Mateta, Hughes, Edouard, Richards, Ozah

Referee: Peter Bankes