Costa sends Chelsea nine clear

Chelsea moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League as they extended their winning run to 11 games with a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace.

Diego Costa scored the only goal of the game, heading home Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross in the 44th minute to score his 13th league goal of the season.

The visitors, who will be without both Costa and N’Golo Kante for the Boxing Day fixture against Bournemouth after the pair picked up yellow cards, pushed for a second with substitute Cesc Fabregas and Marcos Alonso both being denied by Wayne Hennessey saves.

Alonso then struck the crossbar with a free-kick in the 84th minute but the wasted chances did not prove costly as Antonio Conte’s side held on for a third straight 1-0 win to extend their lead at the top, and equal a club-record run of successive wins.

Palace, who have just one win from their last 11 games, remain 16th, three points above the relegation places.

Eden Hazard returned to Chelsea’s starting line-up alongside Nemanja Matic, while Jason Puncheon and Joe Ledley came in for Palace as both sides made two changes from their midweek fixtures.

In foggy conditions at Selhurst Park, it was a …

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