Alvaro Morata continued his fine form with a brace as Chelsea moved up to second place in the Premier League table with a 3-1 victory at home to Crystal Palace.
The Spanish hitman opened the scoring just past the half hour with some smart control and a lethal finish to convert Pedro's pass.
Palace levelled through Andros Townsend following the restart which saw Maurizio Sarri turn to fit-again Eden Hazard on the bench.
Chelsea's Italian head coach Maurizio Sarri (L) speaks with Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (R) as he prepares to come on as a substitute during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in Lo
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The Belgian star made an instant impact, winning and taking the free-kick that led to Morata rifling home his fourth goal in four league outings.
Pedro then sealed the three points for the hosts with a cool finish from Marcos Alonso's cross 20 minutes from time to leave Palace in 14th spot and winless in six league outings.
Chelsea's victory sees Sarri equal former Nottingham Forest boss, Frank Clark's Premier League record of staying unbeaten in his first 11 games. It also moves the Blues above Liverpool on goal difference, within two points of leaders Manchester City who hammered Southampton earlier.
TALKING POINT
Morata will get the headlines - but Hazard cameo was key. Chelsea fans will be delighted to see Morata hitting the goal trail after being much-maligned for most of his Blues career to-date. The forward is playing with real confidence at the moment and deserves the plaudits, but Hazard's introduction should not be under-estimated.
Alvaro Morata of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Eden Hazard after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on November 4, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
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Sarri had suggested the Belgian would only be called upon if required and at 1-1 with an hour played he certainly was. He made a key contribution that helped knock the stuffing out of Palace and showed no rustiness following a short lay-off with a back injury sustained in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United on October 20. It all bodes well for Chelsea moving forward as they bid to keep in touch at the top.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Alvaro Morata (Chelsea). Led the line well throughout and took his goals brilliantly. Should have had a hat-trick but added a minor blot to his copybook when he failed to finish when sent clear in stoppage time.
Chelsea's Spanish striker Alvaro Morata (L) celebrates with Chelsea's Spanish defender Marcos Alonso after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in London on Novemb
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PLAYER RATINGS
CHELSEA: Kepa 6, Alonso 7, Luiz 7, Rudiger 7, Azpilicueta 7, Kante 7, Jorginho 7, Barkley 6, Pedro 7, Morata 8, Willian 7. Subs: Hazard 7, Kovacic 7, Fabregas n/a.
CRYSTAL PALACE: Hennessey 7, Van Aanholt 7, Tomkins 6, Sakho 6, Wan-Bissaka 7, Townsend 7, Milivojevic 6, McArthur 6, Kouyate 6, Meyer 6, Zaha 6. Subs: Ayew 6, Schlupp n/a.
KEY MOMENTS
32' - GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Palace. Morata takes a brilliant touch to control Pedro's driven cross before firing beyond Hennessey from close range.
53' - GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Palace. Townsend surges on to McArthur's clever through pass and rifles a low shot into the far corner. All square!
Crystal Palace's English midfielder Andros Townsend celebrates after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in London on November 4, 2018.
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63' - CHELSEA CHANCE. Luiz is left unmarked to meet Willian's free kick, but sees his firm header pushed away by Hennessey.
65' - GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Palace. Morata restores the home side's lead with his second of the game. The forward is left free at the far post to take down a deep free kick from Hazard and rifle into the far corner.
70' - GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Palace. Pedro arrives late to calmly slot Alonso's low cross into the bottom corner.
90+3' - CHELSEA CHANCE. Chelsea break from a Palace corner. Morata is sent free but he tries to lob Hennessey and fails to get enough height on the effort. The keeper saves and denies the Spaniard a treble.
KEY STATS
Morata has now scored four goals in his last four league appearances, having notched two in his previous 20.
Morata has scored in back-to-back games in the Premier League for the first time since November 2017.
Alvaro Morata of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on November 4, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
Hazard is only the third player to assist a goal in three consecutive substitute appearances in the Premier League, after Tomasz Radzinski for Everton in March 2004, and Arjen Robben for Chelsea in April 2005.
Townsend has scored three goals in the Premier League against Chelsea, more than he has against any other opponent in the competition.
This is the first time since the 1978-79 season that three top-flight teams have gone unbeaten in their opening 11 games of a league campaign (Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool).
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