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PL: Chelsea beat Palace to move back into top four

April 10, 2021 11:03 pm

Christian Pulisic of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on April 10, 2021 in London, England. Image credit: Getty Images — Christian Pulisic of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on April 10, 2021 in London, England.Image credit: Getty Images

An impressive Chelsea moved back into the top four of the Premier League with a dominant victory at Crystal Palace.

Beaten 5-2 at home last weekend by struggling West Brom, the Blues quickly set about making amends, scoring twice in the opening 10 minutes, during which the overwhelmed home side barely got a kick of the ball.

Kai Havertz curled in the first before turning provider to set up Christian Pulisic to fire the second into the roof of the net from close range.

Kurt Zouma all-but ended the game as a contest on the half-hour mark, rising highest to head in a Mason Mount free-kick.

And the visitors could easily have had more before the break but for some good goalkeeping from Vicente Guaita and a goalline clearance from Patrick van Aanholt to clear another Zouma effort.

Christian Benteke headed in Jeffrey Schlupp’s cross to reduce the deficit to reward an improved second-half showing from Palace with 25 minutes to go, but Pulisic’s far-post finish from Reece James’ cross ended any hope of an unlikely comeback.