Antonio Conte's men are romping to the Premier League title but Palace have picked up under Sam Allardyce in recent weeks
Eden Hazard has been passed fit to face Crystal Palace despite fears over a calf injury.
Manager Antonio Conte considered leaving him out of the clash as they face a big game against Manchester City just four days later.
Head coach Antonio Conte says he has a number of fitness issues to assess ahead of kick-off and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (hip) returned to training on Thursday.
Striker Diego Costa shrugged off a foot and ankle problem when on international duty with Spain, while Victor Moses (calf) is a doubt, but John Terry is back in contention.
Crystal Palace are without Patrick van Aanholt when on Saturday they visit Chelsea in the Premier League.
The Dutchman is recovering from an ankle injury and has been joined as an absentee by Fraizer Campbell, who has a knock, and James McArthur, who is suffering from back spasms.
Mathieu Flamini could again be available having returned to training. Connor Wickham and Pape Souare, meanwhile, remain long-term absentees.
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Pedro, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Fabregas, Diego Costa, Hazard
Subs: Begovic, Zouma, Terry, Chalobah, Loftus-Cheek, Willian, Batshuayi.
Palace: Hennessey, Ward, Tomkins, Sakho, Schlupp, Milivojevic, Cabaye, Puncheon, Zaha, Townsend, Benteke.
Subs: Speroni, Dann, Delaney, Kelly, Ledley, Kaikai, Sako
FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 1-2 CRYSTAL PALACE
90+11 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
That's it. Palace have taken the three points from Stamford Bridge yet again.
90+10 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Hennessey punches Hazard's free-kick away from danger. The offside flag is up anyway. That should be it.
90+9 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Incredibly there is time for one more cross as Hazard is brought down by Milivojevic. Here comes Courtois...
90+8 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
One final probe from Chelsea in unsuccessful as Luiz's cross from deep is cleared away by Ward, although Pedro was offside anyway.
90+6 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Chelsea look out of options in the final third. They've tried everything this afternoon, but have been thwarted by resilience from the Palace backline.
90+7 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Loftus-Cheek replaces Fabregas for the final seconds of the match.
90+5 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
CHANCE! Zaha almost puts the game to bed as he plays in Puncheon with a clever backheel. He collects the return from his team-mate, but can only steer the ball over the bar.
90+3 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Chelsea cannot put a cross into the box due to pressure on the ball. Azpilicueta tries to break the stalemate, but sends the ball straight down Hennessey's throat.
90+1 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Sakho goes down with apparent cramp. He has been excellent this afternoon.
90 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
There will be seven minutes of added time.
90 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
OVER! Costa drifts into space in the box and Fabregas picks him out with a lofted pass. He heads at goal, but his effort sails over the bar.
88 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Kante is caught by Milivojevic and it presents the home side with another chance to send men forward. Fabregas lifts the ball to the back post, but Luiz can only power his header over the bar.
86 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Chelsea continue to flood men forward, but they cannot find a way to goal as Pedro's cross is deflected into Hennessey's arms.
85 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
SAVE! Fabregas takes the ball in stride in the right inside channel and hammers the ball towards the near post, but Hennessey makes the save.
82 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Willian fires the ball across the face of goal, but this time there is no blue shirt making a gamble at the back post to latch on to the ball. It has been one of those days for Chelsea.
83 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Luiz goes into the book for pulling back Benteke and blasts the referee. He has to be careful there.
81 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
OFF THE LINE! Hazard fires a low effort at goal and Hennessey makes the save. Costa latches on to the ball and attempts to steer it goalwards, only for Sakho to clear the danger on the line.
80 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Fabregas sends Pedro down the left flank and he sends a perfect ball across the face of goal that seems destined to find Batshuayi, but Sakho makes a vital interception at the near post.
79 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Cahill makes a cynical challenge on Zaha to stop the winger's forward run.
77 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Frustration is beginning to mount for Chelsea as Willian fires a low ball into the box, which is cleared by Sakho. Pedro makes a run down the opposite flank, only to take the ball out of play.
74 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Substitution Marcos Alonso Mendoza Michy Batshuayi Tunga
76 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
WIDE! Costa has not been good enough today and his woes continue as he places his header from Hazard's cross wide of the post from close range.
74 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
OVER! Fabregas goes for goal from the 30-yard free-kick, but he curls his effort harmlessly over the bar.
Dann stretchered off
The whole ground applauded Dann off the pitch.
The defender, who only came on at half-time, injured himself as he attempted to block a shot.
Shocking luck.
72 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
CHANCE! Cabaye floats the ball to the back post and Delaney heads it into the six-yard area. Courtois hesitates and it almost costs the Blues, but Benteke can only steer his effort over the bar from a tight angle.
73 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Milivojevic catches Willian late and he goes into the book.
71 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Luiz gives away a free-kick as Zaha is brought down on the left corner of the box. The Eagles could have an opening here.
70 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Chelsea continue to probe away on the edge of the box, but the quality of their passing in the final third has not been good enough this afternoon.
68 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Benteke heads into the book for a challenge on Cahill.
68 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
CLOSE! Zaha wins a free-kick down the left flank and it allows Cabaye an opening to swing a cross into the box. The Frenchman curls his effort across the face of goal and Milivojevic makes a run over the ball, but it travels just past the post.
66 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Costa attempts to strike on the turn in the box, but he loses his footing at the vital moment and it takes all the pace off his effort.
64 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Willian raids with menace down the right and he crosses into the box with pace, but Sakho is there to clear the danger at the near post.
Formation change
Antonio Conte has decided enough is enough, he is switching to his famed three at the back.
He still have two subs left as well, while Palace are all out of changes.
62 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
SAVE! Zaha comes within inches of doubling his tally for the afternoon as he latches on to Puncheon's pass and fires towards the bottom corner. However, Courtois makes a fine stop to steer the ball past the post.
61 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
BLOCK! Delaney makes his first impact off the bench as Hazard gives him an early test, striking the ball straight into his body.
60 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Kelly replaces Townsend for the visitors. They've now used up all of their subs this afternoon.
60 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Dann is stretchered off and is replaced by Delaney. Palace's second change at the back.
59 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Matic makes way for Willian for the Blues.
Not looking good for Scott Dann
Scott Dann, only on for Tomkins at half-time, is now being stretchered off. Delaney set to replace the stricken sub bit.ly/2nLo3G8
57 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Dann took the full brunt of Costa's strike on his knee and is down in agony on the deck. Not good news for the defender or Palace.
56 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
CHANCE! Pedro sends a pinpoint cross into the box for Costa. The striker has time and opts against the header to bring the ball down on his chest. He attempts to fire at goal, but Dann gets in his way to put him off the strike.
54 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
SAVE! Fabregas steers the ball into Costa's path in the box and on the slide the forward stretches out a letg, but Hennessey meets him there and makes the block.
53 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
CHANCE! Pedro slides the ball through to Costa, but he fails to fire the ball across the face of goal for Hazard's run. Instead he raids to the byline and cuts back, only to blast his effort off Dann.
52 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Alonso sends in a delightful cross from the left flank and it reaches Fabregas 12 yards from goal. With a free header he opts not to go for goal and wastes the opportunity afforded to him in the final third.
49 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Hazard breaks into the right inside channel and he stands the ball up to the back post, but Costa can only guide his header into the hands of Hennessey.
50 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Costa goes into the book for a stray boot on Sakho in his attempt to win back possession on the edge of the box.
46 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Tomkins may have suffered a knock in the first half and has been replaced by Dann.
46 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
We're back underway at Stamford Bridge.
The players are back out for the second half, so we should be underway shortly.
Good omens for Palace
Could Palace become No.4?
Well four is the magic number for Palace today.
Sam Allardyce is looking for a fourth straight win.
Half-time stats
Since then Chelsea have been on top, but have not managed to find a way through Wayne Hennessey or the Palace backline. A win this afternoon would be huge for the Eagles' survival hopes.
First the Eagles bounced back after trailing in the fifth minute to Cesc Fabregas' opener, with Zaha continuing his run of good form with a fine strike to equaliser. Benteke then displayed composure 90 seconds later to fire the visitors ahead.
Crystal Palace are on course for their fourth win on the bounce thanks to goals from Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke. Sam Allardyce's men have been under the cosh for the majority of the half, but have been resilient this afternoon.
HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 1-2 CRYSTAL PALACE
45+2 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
The referee ends the first half.
45+1 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
SAVE! Cahill loops a header up into the six-yard box and Luiz goes up to head at goal, but he cannot generate enough power on his effort to beat Hennessey.
45 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
There will be two minutes of added time.
45 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
OVER! The Blues win yet another free-kick and Fabregas floats the ball into the middle. Matic attacks it with a looping header that forced Hennessey to backpeddle and turn it over the bar.
44 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Chelsea catch Palace out with a quickly-taken corner routine and it almost creates space on the edge of the box. Pedro slides the ball to Luiz, but Ward intervenes before he can strike at goal.
Big test for Conte
Antonio Conte has had everything almost his own way this season.
But he will need to use his tactical nous to find a way back into this one.
Wayne Henessey has been in great form to keep Palace in front.
42 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
OVER! Palace win a corner down the right flank and Townsend whips the ball with pace to the back post. Tomkins peels off his man and has a free header at goal, but he can only lift his effort over the bar.
40 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
SAVE! Hennessey to the resuce again for the visitors as he gets down smartly to save Matic's drive from distance. The rebound bounces inside the six-yard box, but the Eagles get there first to scramble the ball away.
39 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
SAVE! Hazard turns his man with ease once again down the right flank and fires his effort towards the near post, but Hennessey is there to cover the angle and make the stop.
38 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
CLOSE! Alonso collects on the left and drills his effort across the face of goal. Hennessey gets a touch but the ball could go land anywhere, but fortunately for the visitors it bounces to safety.
36 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Conte demonstrates on the sideline as Hazard goes down under contact from Ward. It's the correct decision from the referee not to award the free-kick, but he makes himself an unpopular figure by then giving a foul against Alonso.
Palace fans
Crystal Palace are making the Bridge feel like Selhurst Park.
Fans are making a lot of noise in the away end.
The sight isn’t bad either.
34 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
A rare mistake from Hennessey thus far as he slices his clearance into touch under no pressure from the home side.
32 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
SHOT! Luiz takes the strike on this time and he fires his effort over the wall, but straight into the arms of Hennessey.
32 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Costa is caught on the edge of the box by Puncheon and the Blues are awarded a free-kick in dangerous position.
31 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Chelsea are probing away on the edge of the box, but the Palace backline are holding firm for now. The Blues' intricate passes are just not clicking at the moment.
29 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Milivojevic clips the ankles of Hazard in the centre circle and he just avoids a booking from referee Pawson.
27 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
CHANCE! Another opening for Palace on the break as Cabaye tees up Puncheon to strike from 25 yards. He gets decent contact on the ball, sending his effort just wide of the target.
26 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Cabaye gives the ball away inside his own box, but Chelsea cannot organise themselves in time to capitalise. Kante sends a deep cross for Alonso to attack at the back post, only for the Spaniard to head behind.
25 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Hazard turns his man inside and out once again down the right flank before firing a low ball into the box, but on this occasion Tomkins clears away under little pressure.
24 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
CHANCE! Palace continue to look dangerous on the counter and Schlupp has an opening as a loose ball finds its way to him on the edge of the box. However, he gets his strike all wrong, tamely firing wide of the post.
23 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
SAVE! Hazard twists and turns his way past three Palace defenders before sending a low cross into the box. Costa latches on to the ball and strikes a low volley towards goal, but Hennessey reacts to make a brilliant stop on the line.
Benteke celebrates
They were behind but Palace turned it around.
Benteke strode through the Chelsea defence before sitting Thibaut Courtois down and finishing.
Big shock on the cards at the Bridge.
Benteke celebrates
22 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Hazard swings the ball in and Palace are all at sea at the back. The ball pinballs around the box, but it fails to fall for a blue shirt before the visitors clear the danger.
21 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Pedro continues to be in the wars as Townsend simply blocks his progress down the right flank. Chelsea win a free-kick in a decent position.
19 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
WIDE! Hazard collects on the edge of the box and goes for the strike, but he slices his effort well wide of the post.
Benteke likes Chelsea
Can Benteke play you every week?
What a stat that is for the Belgium star.
Could his goals keep Palace up?
18 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Pedro was down for some time receiving treatment as he put his body on the line to strike his effort at goal and was caught in the aftermath. However, he appears to be ok to continue this afternoon.
17 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Replays show that the ball did hit Townsend in the arm. Palace have gotten away with one there.
16 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
PENALTY SHOUT! Chelsea win a corner down the right as Sakho clears behind. From the resulting set-piece Hazard plays the ball short to Pedro, who strikes with power. Only a block from Townsend stops the ball from reaching the net, and the home side go up for a penalty, but the referee dismisses their claims.
15 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Chelsea are having to battle here as they're not having everything their own way. Palace have come here with a good attitude and are putting the home side under pressure.
Fabregas opener
It feels a life time ago now but Cesc Fabregas had put Chelsea into the lead.
Eden Hazard cut in from his flank and teed up Fabregas.
The Spaniard now has four Premier League goals this season.
Fabregas celebrates his goal
15 minsSTATS
Overall Possession RatioPossession
13 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Pedro makes a surge down the right, but as he looks up to cross the ball he loses possession, allowing the visitors to clear the danger.
Quite the start!
Well how about this then!
Chelsea took the lead through a brilliant Cesc Fabregas goal, but Crystal Palace have responded in fine style.
Terrific game from the off.
11 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
GOALLLL!!!! PALACE TAKE THE LEAD! Incredible scenes at Stamford Bridge as Palace forge ahead. Benteke leads a break through the middle of the Chelsea backline before playing a one-two with Zaha. He collects again in the box before displaying composure to dummy his first effort before lifting the ball over Courtois with a neat chip. A sublime effort.
11 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Zaha makes another impact in the final third as he tees up Benteke for his strike with a calm pass.
9 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Benteke plays a simple pass into the feet of Zaha and is rewarded with an assist as the winger finds the net.
9 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
GOALLLL!!!! ZAHA EQUALISES! Out of nothing Palace are back in the game as Zaha collects a low pass on the edge of the box and somehow manages to squeeze his effort between Alonso's legs and into the bottom corner.
9 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Pedro does well to cover ground at the back as Townsend threatens down the left, making a fine sliding tackle to prevent the cross.
7 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Townsend tries to create space down the left flank and he whips the ball into the area, only for his cross to dip behind for a goal-kick.
5 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
GOALLLL!!! FABREGAS STRIKES! The Spaniard starts an ends the move as he picks out Hazard on the left to open up Palace before converting the Belgian's cross at the near post. Hazard did brilliantly to square Ward up on the left to send a low ball into the area and Fabregas continued his run to steer his effort into the net with the aid of the post.
5 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Hazard bamboozles Ward with his skill on the left flank before delivering a fine low cross, which allows Hazard to convert.
4 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
SHOT! Alonso takes the set-piece and although he bends his effort over the wall, Hennessey is able to make a comfortable save.
3 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
Milivojevic brings down Fabregas 25 yards from goal with a late challenge. Chelsea have a free-kick in a dangerous position, with Luiz standing over the ball.
1 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
An early test of Hennessey's handling skills as a long ball forward from Cahill takes an unpleasant bounce, but the Welshman gathers with relative calm.
1 minsMINUTE BY MINUTE
We're underway at Stamford Bridge.
The players are out on the pitch, so we should be underway shortly.
STAT ATTACK! Chelsea have used the fewest number of players in the Premier League this season. Only 21 men have featured for Conte's side this season.
STAT ATTACK! Palace won on their last visit to Stamford Bridge last season. Goals from Bakary Sako and Joel Ward secured the win for the Eagles, despite Radamel Falcao's strike.
Palace are unchanged from their win over Watford last time out as Allardyce keeps the winning formula together. That means there's no place for captain Scott Dann in the backline, with Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins preferred.
Victor Moses has not managed to make the game due to his own injury proble, while Willian drops out of the side that beat Stoke last time out. Cesc Fabregas comes into the side to replace Moses, while Hazard returns to the fold up front - which will see Pedro drop back into the wing-back slot.
Eden Hazard has passed a fitness test today and retains his place in the Chelsea side after missing Belgium's matches against Greece and Russia due to a calf problem.
Palace subs: Dann, Speroni, Ledley, Kaikai, Sako, Delaney, Kelly.
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-2-3-1): Hennessey; Ward, Tomkins, Sakho, Schlupp; Cabaye, Milivojevic; Zaha, Puncheon, Townsend; Benteke.
Chelsea subs: Begovic, Zouma, Loftus-Cheek, Willian, Batshuayi, Terry, Chalobah.
CHELSEA (3-4-3): Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Pedro, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Fabregas, Costa, Hazard.
The team news has been announced and we'll start with the home side.
Chelsea have arrived
Antonio Conte and Diego Costa have arrived at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are aiming to move 13 points clear - with nearest rivals Tottenham away at Burnley.
Sam Allardyce's men have won their last three Premier League matches to ease their concerns, including their 1-0 victory over Watford last time out. However, the road ahead remains a tough one for the Eagles.
At the other end of the table - Palace are in the battle to remain in the division, with only four points separating them from the bottom three.
The Blues have won their last three matches on the bounce in their surge towards the Premier League title. Antonio Conte's men hold a 10-point lead at the top of the table, and should his side continue to perform like they have done - it will be only a matter of time before the crown is in their hands.
Good afternoon and welcome to the live commentary of the Premier League clash between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte has responded to Arsene Wenger’s “one team in London” jibe by insisting he prefers to respect every team in the capital.
Arsenal boss Wenger’s cheeky chirp came after the Gunners’ star striker Alexis Sanchez was linked with a move across the city to Chelsea.
But Conte was not for biting back in his pre-match press conference ahead of the weekend visit of Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge.
He instead went for something of a subtle dig back at the Frenchman.
“I didn’t know this, but I think in London there are many teams,” Conte said, when asked if there was only team in London.
“Tomorrow, for example, it’s a derby against Crystal Palace.
“I like to listen to the other coaches but, for me, I prefer always to have great respect for all the players from all the clubs.”
Chelsea can extend their 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon if they better Tottenham’s result at Burnley.
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