CHELSEA ended a dismal run of three consecutive defeats today with a 1-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the match to earn Chelsea their first win in five matches in all competitions and ease the pressure on manager Graham Potter.
The Germany forward headed home Hakim Ziyech’s cross in the 64th minute after a first half of missed chances by both sides.
Havertz had the the opportunity to double Chelsea’s lead moments later but his header went wide from close range from Mason Mount’s cross.
Palace came close to equalising in the closing minutes when Cheick Doucoure’s long-range volley was spectacularly tipped over by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Chelsea remain 10th in the table despite the victory, just their second in 10 Premier League games, but are now level on points with ninth-placed Liverpool.
Palace are 12th after a fifth defeat in six games in all competitions.
In the other Premier League fixture played at the same time today, Newcastle United edged past Fulham 1-0 at St James’s Park.
Alexander Isak returned from a long layoff to score the only goal of the encounter in the 89th minute as Newcastle regained third spot in the table from Manchester United, who temporarily took the position yesterday.
Fulham, who are sixth, could have taken the lead in the 70th minute but Aleksandar Mitrovic missed a penalty.
