CHELSEA MAINTAINED THEIR unbeaten start to the league season after a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park today.
Oscar’s brilliant 30-yard free-kick gave Chelsea a sixth-minute lead but five minutes before the break, Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta was shown a red card for diving in two-footed on Mile Jedinak.
However, there was still time in the first half for Palace to also be reduced to 10 men, with Damien Delaney dismissed for a second bookable offence after hauling back Loic Remy.
Chelsea doubled their lead in the 51st minute when Cesc Fabregas played a one-two with Eden Hazard and Oscar before calmly planting the ball past Julian Speroni at the near post.
Palace pulled a goal back in the last minute of normal time through Wilfried Zaha.
Meanwhile, West Ham gave manager Sam Allardyce the perfect present ahead of his 60th birthday on Sunday with victory at Burnley that took them into the top four.
Diafra Sakho’s sixth goal in as many games gave West Ham the lead in the 49th minute and Enner Valencia made it 2-0 five minutes later.
George Boyd pulled one back on the hour mark before Hammers substitute Carlton Cole put the result beyond doubt.
- © AFP, 2014
