N’Golo Kante scored his third goal of the season to earn Chelsea a deserved 1-0 win at Crystal Palace that moves the Blues five points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal
David Luiz provided a rare assist from open play to allow Kante an opportunity that he pounced upon before scoring a goal that trebles his previous best tally in a Premier League season.
Palace went into the game seeking to extend a three-match unbeaten streak that included a famous win over Manchester City before Christmas, but they struggled to prise the ball away from a Chelsea side determined to avoid a repeat of their Selhurst Park defeat last season.
The result left Roy Hodgson’s men just five points clear of the relegation zone, while fourth-placed Chelsea pulled away from Arsenal, who lost heavily at Liverpool on Saturday.
That @DavidLuiz_4 and @nglkante link-up today! 👌#CRYCHE pic.twitter.com/o6NTbw3Era
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 30, 2018
The deadlock was broken after 51 minutes when David Luiz’s exquisite chipped ball into the box was controlled instinctively on the chest by the on-rushing Kante, who then applied a low, left-footed finish that sneaked past Guaita despite the keeper getting a hand to it.
N’GOLO!
CHELSEA TAKE THE LEAD!
0-1 [51′] #CRYCHE pic.twitter.com/A0wEOh9tRB
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 30, 2018
