Summary

  • Costa heads Chelsea winner from Azpilicueta cross

  • Blues record 11th straight league win

  • Conte's side certain to be top at Christmas

  1. Postpublished at 59 mins

    Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

    This, I imagine, is how some feel today stuck behind shoppers at the Arndale Centre.

    Frustrated.

  2. Chelsea 'rock solid'published at 13:44 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2016

    Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

    John Hartson
    Ex-Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 live

    Whenever Palace have attacked Chelsea have been excellent. Their shape looks magnificent. 

    Defensively, they have been rock solid today.

  3. Postpublished at 56 mins

    Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

    The free-kick is headed out for a corner.

    The resulting corner is eventually headed out for a throw-in.

    All a wee bit scrappy at the moment.

  4. Postpublished at 55 mins

    Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

    Palace have a free kick on the Chelsea left - the Blues had one in a similar position in the first half - Yohan Cabaye is set to take it.

    Big chance here.

  5. Postpublished at 50 mins

    Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

    Chelsea's N'Golo Kante thumps one from 25 yards which keeper Wayne Hennessey manages to get behind.

    A stinger from the Frenchman.

    Two good efforts in the first five minutes of this half. Bodes well.

    Kante shoots at goalImage source, getty
  6. Postpublished at 13:37 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2016

    Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

    John Hartson
    Ex-Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 live

    I am expecting Chelsea to be better in the second half in terms of shots on target.

    They were ruthless and defended very well before half-time.

  7. Postpublished at 49 mins

    Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

    Victor Moses sends his throw-in out for a Palace corner. 

    Would-be recipient, Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois, was delighted with the accuracy on that.

    The corner comes to nowt.

  8. Postpublished at 47 mins

    Crystal Palace 0-0 Chelsea

    Best shot of the match.

    Yohan Cabaye hits on the half volley along the ground - with a touch of bend - but Thibaut Courtois is equal to it.

    Another good start to the half by Palace.

  9. KICK-OFFpublished at 13:33 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2016

    Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

    We are back under way.

  10. Fancy a Costa?published at 13:32 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2016

    Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

    That was big Diego's 50th goal for Chelsea in all competitions, by the way.

    Right Big D and the players are back out.

    Costa and conteImage source, Rex Features
  11. The fog is bad in Londonpublished at 13:31 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2016

    Barnet v Stevenage (15:00 GMT)

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  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:28 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2016

    #bbcfootball

    Gavin Richmond: Another nail in Pardew's coffin! Were all the Geordies deluded, Palace fans?! Don't want to say told u so, but we told u so!

    Donald: Costa's really scoring with ease. He's really having some great form.

    Viv: 1 chance,1 goal. Costa has bn very clinical& on target with his chances this season! CPFC ve themselves to blame, poor marking! 

  13. Vote resultpublished at 13:28 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2016

    Just as our 'Who will finish the season as top scorer?' vote closed, Diego Costa nodded Chelsea ahead to move one in front of Alexis Sanchez at the top of this season's striking standings.

    And you are strongly backing the Spaniard to win the Golden Boot, with 48% of you tipping him to be the league's leading scorer.

    Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez were tied in second place in the voting with 15%.

  14. Garth's on top form...published at 13:22 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2016

    Fancy a bit of half-time chat? Join the Final Score team of Jason Mohammad, Garth Crooks and Dion Dublin, who are on Facebook Live now as they prepare for this afternoon's show. 

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  15. 'Palace have it all to do'published at 13:22 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2016

    Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

    John Hartson
    Ex-Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 live

    It has been a little hard on Palace.

    Before the goal Jason Puncheon had the best chance.

    Ultimately, Chelsea are in front and Crystal Palace have it all to do.

  16. HALF-TIMEpublished at 13:19 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2016

    Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

    Eagles boss Alan Pardew will be furious. Or he might not be. But he should be.

    Palace were looking pretty solid up until the Chelsea goal and, dare I say it, looked the more likely to take the lead.

    Costa celebrates goalImage source, Reuters
  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:17 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2016

    #bbcfootball

    Nii: That's what you called class. Diego - one chance, goal.

    Stephen James: Costa! What a great header. Anticipated the goalies movement and placed it perfectly. The lad is on fire!

    JavelBleach: Why don't Palace players even contest the header? They just stand there & watch! 0-1.

    Costa scores first goalImage source, AP
  18. Postpublished at 13:17 Greenwich Mean Time 17 December 2016

    Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

    John Hartson
    Ex-Wales striker on BBC Radio 5 live

    I don't know where Hennessey was going. 

    If he can't get the ball he has to stay on his line. He is in no-man's-land.

    Great header but poor, poor goalkeeping. 

    Costa scores first Chelsea goalImage source, Reuters
  19. goal

    GOAL - Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelseapublished at 43 mins

    Diego Costa

    The big man scores his 13th of the season and he has more than he scored last season.

    Eden Hazard plays the ball to Cesar Azpilicueta who dinks his cross from 20 yards onto the head of Diego Costa. 

    The Spaniard times his run into the area to perfection and sends a looping header past Wayne Hennessey.

    Simple.

    Rubbish defending.

    Costa heads first goalImage source, Getty Images
  20. Fog updatepublished at 42 mins

    Crystal Palace 0-0 Chelsea

    It's a bit less foggy.