Latest: Chelsea 2 Crystal Palace 1 – Blues lead but visitors begin to threaten

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Goals from Fernando Torres and Ramires left Chelsea edging towards a win that would take them to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The Blues, who face Arsenal a week on Monday, went ahead when Torres tucked away the rebound after Willian’s low shot had been tipped onto the post by Crystal Palace keeper Julian Speroni.

And Branislav Ivanovic 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 Marouane Chamakh equalised 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.

At the other end, Cameron Jerome’s effort 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 able to gather Damien Delaney’s close-range header.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Azpilicueta; Essien, Ramires; Willian, Mata, Hazard, Torres.
Subs: Schwarzer, Cole, Lampard, Oscar, Schurrle, Ba, Eto’o.

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