Chelsea win moves them closer to Arsenal

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Chelsea 2 Crystal Palace 1

Ramires’ first-half winner took Chelsea to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, who they face at the Emirates Stadium a week on Monday.

They were made to sweat by Crystal Palace, who equalised through Marouane Chamakh after Fernando Torres’ opener and went close to levelling again in the second half.

Torres pounced on 16 minutes, tucking away the rebound after Willian’s low shot had been tipped onto the post by keeper Julian Speroni.

Branislav Ivanovic then missed a great chance to double the lead when he fired wide after being put through by Juan Mata’s delightful back-heel.

Chelsea seemed to be in control but switched off at the back and Chamakh netted just before the half-hour mark, steering home from nine yards out after being found by Joel Ward’s ball in from the left.

But Ramires struck five minutes later, collecting Eden Hazard’s pass and sending a 25-yard shot beyond the motionless Speroni into the corner of the net.

Mata, back in the starting line-up along with Michael Essien, scuffed a shot wide following good work on the left by Willian early in the second half.

Palace then came on strong and Cameron Jerome’s attempt went wide before Petr Cech was twice called into action.

Jason Puncheon’s drive forced a good save from the Chelsea keeper, who was also to able to gather a close Damien Delaney’s close-range header.

And Delaney headed wide at the near post from Puncheon’s corner as Tony Pulis’ side continued to press.

Chelsea also survived a major scare when a goalmouth scramble almost ended with another Palace equaliser.

Jerome’s left-wing cross caused panic and Stuart O’Keefe was denied first by Cech and then by Ivanovic before the ball was eventually cleared to safety.

Ramires should have eased the home fans’ anxiety in the closing minutes.

He made a total hash of a great chance after finding himself through on goal and then blazed wide while following up after Speroni had saved from substitutes Andre Schurrle and Demba Ba.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Azpilicueta; Essien, Ramires; Willian (Schurrle 82) , Mata (Oscar 62), Hazard, Torres (Ba 84)
Subs not used: Schwarzer, Cole, Lampard, Eto’o.

 

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