Star man must be omitted on Boxing Day: Three things learned about Chelsea in win v Palace
By Dominic Toner
Football Insider analyses three talking points following Chelsea’s 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
Chelsea know how to defend
Chelsea won a third straight league game 1-0 and their defence is now beginning to get the rightful recognition. The Blues have kept nine clean sheets in their last 11 league matches and they have fired them nine points clear at the top of the table. The usual back three of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill were all immense against Palace, keeping Christian Benteke quiet all afternoon. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was not forced into a difficult save and that is just a sign of how well the back three are playing. They have settled remarkably since Conte’s formation change to a 3-4-3 and they look incredibly hard to break down. Wing-backs Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso also showed against Palace the defensive sides of their games as they ground out another result.
Hazard is back to his best
Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard reminded people that he has put last season’s poor form behind him and can lead the club’s title challenge this campaign. The 25-year-old was recalled to the starting line up after missing the Sunderland clash through injury and was a nightmare for the Palace defence. He showed the qualitites to dribble at high speed and was escaping player’s challenges all game. The Chelsea playmaker had a hand in Diego Costa’s goal by retaining possession in the Palace half and passing to Cesar Azpilicueta, who managed to grab the assist for Costa. Hazard is recapturing his best form that helped light up Stamford Bridge when he arrived and also be named the PFA Player of the Year in the 2014/15 season.
Batshuayi will get chance v Bournemouth
Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi is likely to get a first start in the Premier League against Bournemouth on Boxing Day. The Blues first-choice striker and star man Diego Costa picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Palace and will serve a one-game suspension as a result, while midfielder N’Golo Kante will also suffer the same fate after a fifth booking. Batshuayi has found his game time limited this season since his summer arrival from Marseille and the £33million forward has been used as a substitute nine times in the league. The Belgian international has been patiently waiting in the shadow of Costa and manager Antonio Conte is set to turn to him against Bournemouth. The 23-year-old will be desperate to make the most of his chance and will prove whether he can help aid the club’s title challenge. Batshuayi proved at Marseille than he can be a prolific goalscorer, scoring 33 goals in 78 appearances for the French club.
In other Chelsea news, Jamie Carragher has criticised the club’s midfielder amid transfer speculation.