Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea: Chelsea player ratings | Premier League 2018-19

Chelsea visited Selhurst Park for their last game of 2018. After losing out to Leicester in their last home game of the year, the Blues looked to get back in form after showing signs of revival against Watford in a 2-1 win. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, also showed some improvement in their form as they produced one of their best performances of the season against Manchester City on 22nd December, winning 3-2.

This fixture presented a good opportunity for the Blues due to the favorable results for them earlier in the weekend as Arsenal got hammered by Liverpool and Tottenham lost to Wolves. A win at Crystal Palace would see Chelsea go five points clear on Arsenal and within two points of Tottenham.

The visitors largely controlled the proceedings initially with over 65% possession in the first half. However, they could not convert their dominance into goals and the first half was a largely tepid affair. Crystal Palace were willing to sit back and looked to pounce on the counter through the dangerous pace of Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend.

The second half was expected to be a cagey affair as it was expected that Roy Hodgson would encourage his team to have a go at their London rivals and at the same time Chelsea needed a goal early in order to gain an upper hand and not leave it late till the end.

Finally, the breakthrough came for Chelsea in the 51st minute. David Luiz launched a sumptuous ball over the Crystal Palace backline and N'golo Kanté controlled the pass and finished it expertly across Guaita into the net.

The hosts did put some pressure but lacked the finishing touch and were left frustrated at the end. Their best chance came right at the end when the ball fell luckily for the substitute Connor Wickham through a freekick but he blasted well over the bar.

Overall, a not stylish but solid 1-0 victory for Chelsea as they finish the calendar year on an encouraging note.

Player ratings

Kepa Arizzabalaga - 6/10

The world's most expensive goalkeeper was barely troubled by Crystal Palace. With zero shots on target by the home side, it was a comfortable day and a clean sheet for the goalkeeper. He was also good with his distribution and also swept away any danger posed by the hosts.

Cesar Azpilicueta - 7.5/10

Chelsea's captain put in a top-class performance at right back position. He held his own against the onslaught of Crystal Palace down his side and was his usual reliable self. He dealt well with the threat of Zaha and Schlupp. Offensively, as well he helped with overlapping runs and creating space for his team's attackers to unlock the opposition's performance.

Antonio Rüdiger - 6/10

The German center-back combined well with his senior David Luiz as the pair were solid and resolute. Rüdiger however, had some shaky moments but overall was comfortable off the ball.

David Luiz - 7/10

The Brazilian showed today why he is the first choice centre-back for Maurizio Sarri today. Physically imposing and tough on the tackle, David Luiz is a leader. Also, he is one of the best ball-playing defenders in Europe and today showed that by producing a world-class pass for Kante's goal.

Marcos Alonso - 6/10

Even though the there were not many glaring mistakes that the Spaniard committed but it was one particular incident in the first half which drew ire from Chelsea fans. The left-back, frustrated by a poor pass from David Luiz punched the ball away petulantly and then got booked and thus, putting himself and his team in harm's way.

Ross Barkley - 6/10

The 25-year-old did well defensively and was solid overall. A glaring criticism, however, has been his inability to affect the game with his on the ball skills. He has been paying safe passes and within himself for far too long and needs to start expressing more. As compared to Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic, he lacked the end product that his team desperately craved in the final third.

Jorginho - 6.5/10

The Italian pass master was at his best again as he dictated the tempo of the game expertly. He racked over 150 passes in his outing against Crystal Palace. He was also defensively solid and put in tackles and interceptions to disrupt the opposition.

N'Golo Kanté - 8.5/10

The French midfielder rescued Chelsea once again, this time with his offensive contribution. Defensively, he is world class and offensively he may not look at home right now but he is steadily improving and is key to his team's pressing game in the opposition's half.

The world cup winner made a great goal from himself by taking responsibility and running through the Palace backline and controlled the looping pass from Luiz expertly onto his chest and finished with great aplomb.

Willian - 6.5/10

The Brazilian started on the right-hand side of the attack. He was unfortunate not to get a goal when his freekick hit the post in the first half and he also forced a couple of good saves from Crystal Palace's keeper. However, the Chelsea veteran did struggle at times with some poor touches and misplaced passes.

Eden Hazard - 6.5/10

Even though the Belgian was unable to affect the goal but he was a constant nuisance for the Palace defenders. He was unable to play his usual game due to lack of space being afforded to him by the opposition and his quick combinations with Olivier Giroud failed to come off.

Olivier Giroud - 6/10

A tough outing for the French striker. He held the ball well and attempted to play in others but often the finishing touch went missing. He did come close to scoring a couple of goals but was unfortunately offside. Later on after the match, he appeared to move on crutches which was a worrying sight for all Chelsea fans.

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Substitutions

Alvaro Morata

The Spaniard came on as a substitute for the injured Olivier Giroud with 15 minutes from time. Morata failed to do much in the limited time he had as his side looked to punish the hosts on the counter. Linked with a move away in January, was this one of his last appearances as a Chelsea player? Time will tell.

Emerson Palmieri

On for Willan in the 83rd minute, the left-back was deployed as a winger in the absence of Pedro and Hudson-Odoi. The Brazilian did win a foul, dribbling past Palace players while on a counter attack.

Mateo Kovacic

The Croatian was the final substitute for Chelsea as he replaced Ross Barkley right at the end. He had too little to do anything of note.