Bradley Allen
Former QPR striker on BBC Radio London

"I have been impressed by Chelsea since they scored.

"Surprinsingly in the key moments and their spell of dominance Palace lacked attacking conviction and didn't turn the screw.

"The Terry and Zouma partnership and goalkeeping of Courtois helped withstand the onslaught and Chelsea have the all important goal. They can now play deeper and catch Palace on the counter-attack.

"For Palace changes need to be made if I were Pardew I would go for it. He has nothing to lose. They need to take a risk and if they can get a goal and the crowd onside they might be able to turn this game on it's head but that is a big ask."

How significant is the absence of Yohan Cabaye in Palace's midfield? I'd suggest it is very significant. They are missing someone with the composure and creativity that the Frenchman possesses. Lee Chung-yong has barely been in the game and, for all their running, Wilfried Zaha and Fraizer Campbell have been underserved. This is where Alan Pardew earns his corn.

The key to Chelsea's well-worked goal was an inch-perfect pass from Cesc Fabregas (4) to find Diego Costa (19). The striker's unselfish pull-back was finished easily by Oscar (8).

Image source, Opta

Chelsea have been the more patient side, willing to play the ball around at the back and wait for an opening, which is reflected in their greater share of possession.

Image source, Opta

And there is the whistle. Oscar's goal separates the sides. And it gives Chelsea a deserved lead in awful wet conditions. Since the goal, the Blues have managed the game well. Palace need something different. They have not challenged the away defence anywhere near enough.

Image source, Getty Images

Into two minutes of added time and Palace have a free-kick just inside the Chelsea half. Once again, it is swung into the box in the direction of Scott Dann but headed clear by a Chelsea defender. That's not good enough from Palace. They'll need a lot more of they are going to trouble the away defence.

Diego Costa is being a menace in a good way today. He uses all of his strength to muscle past a couple of challenges en route to the Palace box before Damien Delaney proves a man too many. On the subject of the Spanish forward, today's assist was his first in his last 20 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea. (Stat courtesy of Opta).

Image source, AP

Chelsea are just that bit quicker to the ball at the moment, particularly in midfield. And they are more than content to play a bit of keep ball at the back. They are controlling this game now.

Image source, PA

Was that the Chelsea fans singing 'We are staying up'? You've got to love the humour of football fans.

Superb save Wayne Hennessey! Joel Ward gets caught out by a long ball forward, which finds Cesar Azpilicueta down the left. The Chelsea full-back drives into the Palace box and fires low but Hennessey gets down and blocks before Scott Dann heads away the lose ball. Chelsea firmly on top right now.

Chelsea suddenly look a real threat. Pedro, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa link up well to earn a corner but they are unable to make anything from it as Willian massively over-hits it.

Bradley Allen
Former QPR striker on BBC Radio London

"It was a loose first touch by Puncheon, Chelsea pounced on it and it was a brilliant run from Costa. He was going away from goal but had the awareness to unselfishly cut the ball back to Oscar who arrived and slotted it home. I would say that was slightly against the run of play."

No doubt angered by falling behind, the Palace fans voice their frustration as Pape Souare is penalised for a foul on Branislav Ivanovic near the right corner flag in the Chelsea half.

Image source, Getty Images

Oh, that is the best chance of the game so far. Palace keep up the pressure and Jason Puncheon swings in a cross that beats Scott Dann but finds Frazier Campbell at the back post. The striker is unable to control his shot, though, and slices past the post.

Image source, Getty Images

Take a bow Kurt Zouma, that was an immaculately-timed tackle. It had to be as well as Wilfried Zaha collected the ball in the Chelsea box. Again, Palace are unable to fashion anything from the corner.

As you'd expect from a side with such pace, palace look a big threat on the break. Willian has to resort to tripping Wilfried Zaha to stop him reaching the Chelsea box. From the free-kick, Damien Delaney again offers a looping header for Thibaut Courtois to claim.

Image source, Reuters

The tackles are flying in now. John Mikel Obi is strong to beat Jason Puncheon to the ball but a bit high on Mile Jedinak and a Chelsea attack comes to an end.