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As it happenedended

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace, Premier League live!

Follow all of the action from Stamford Bridge

Peter Rutzler
Friday 09 March 2018 13:09 EST
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Willian gave Chelsea the lead
Willian gave Chelsea the lead (Getty)

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Chelsea host Crystal Palace in the late kick-off on Saturday, with Antonio Conte’s side looking to avoid their fifth defeat in six Premier League games. Pressure has been mounting on Conte and his Chelsea side after a string of disappointing results, and with the Blues in fifth in the Premier League table and five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, there is a genuine risk of failing to qualify for the 2018/19 Champions League.

Conte’s side will come up against a Crystal Palace team who have been blighted by an injury epidemic, and fresh off the back of their last-gasp defeat to Manchester United on Monday night, the game at Stamford Bridge takes on an added dimension of importance for Roy Hodgson’s side, who remain 18th in the Premier League table.

Palace under Hogdson had looked to be steering clear of relegation, though a recent barren run has seen relegation resurface as a serious possibility. The Eagles have won their last two encounters with Chelsea in the Premier League, and Palace will be hoping to replicate their form from this fixture last year when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Follow all of the action below!

What time does it start?

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace kicks off at 17.30pm on 10 Saturday at Stamford Bridge.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1. Coverage starts at 17.00pm. Highlights will be shown at 22.30pm on BBC1.

It’s a big game for…

Antonio Conte. Chelsea’s title-winning manager has endured a serious case of second-season syndrome, and Saturday’s game at Palace is unquestionably a must win for Conte. Three points would go some way to getting Chelsea back on track, though they have lost their last two games against Palace in the Premier League – both of which were 2-1 defeats.

The pressure is on for Antonio Conte
The pressure is on for Antonio Conte (AFP/Getty Images)

Best stat:

If Chelsea lose at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, their run of five defeats in six will match their worst ever run in the Premier League, equaling that of Jose Mourinho’s final season in 2015/16.

Remember when…

Last time out in this fixture, Crystal Palace emerged as the victors in a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge. Re-live the goals here.

Player to watch…

Christian Benteke. Given Palace’s severe injury crisis, Hodgson will be looking to his big name players to deliver, and club-record signing Christian Benteke certainly falls under that bracket. The Belgian forward has been in disappointing form throughout the 2017/18 campaign, though Saturday’s game against Chelsea, who were rumoured to have held an interest in Benteke, could be a chance for the striker to redeem himself with a crucial contribution.

Benteke needs to deliver for Palace this weekend
Benteke needs to deliver for Palace this weekend (Getty)

Past three meetings…

Crystal Palace 2 Chelsea 1, Premier League, October 2017

Chelsea 1 Crystal Palace 2, Premier League, April 2017

Crystal Palace 0 Chelsea 1, Premier League, December 2016

Form guide…

Chelsea: LWWDLL

Crystal Palace: LLDLLL

Odds…

Chelsea to win: 7/25

Draw: 23/5

Crystal Palace to win: 11/1

Brighton stopper Mat Ryan has been called into action against Everton, who are upping the ante. Gylfi Sigurdsson strikes from the right side of the box but Ryan gets down well to his right to palm it away.

Jack Austin10 March 2018 15:36

GOAL RULED OUT - LEICESTER 

36: The assistant gets it right, as Vardy is offside.

Jack Austin10 March 2018 15:37

Brighton have so far managed to repel everything that Everton have thrown at them.

Jack Austin10 March 2018 15:38

GREAT SAVE! Burnley's Nick Pope pulls off an outstanding save to deny Manuel Lanzini after he is put one-on-one with the Burnley stopper by Ogbonna. England goalkeeper in waiting? 

Jack Austin10 March 2018 15:41

Huddersfield are yet to make the extra man count at the John Smith's stadium. Steve Mounie has gone close after he flicked on a whipped Aaron Mooy delivery, but it went wide of the post.

Jack Austin10 March 2018 15:43

West Ham fans continue to protest at the London Stadium. 

Jack Austin10 March 2018 15:46

HALF TIME! 

The scores on the doors:

Newcastle 2-0 Southampton

Huddersfield 0-0 Swansea

Everton 0-0 Brighton

West Brom 1-1 Leicester

West Ham 0-0 Burnley

Jack Austin10 March 2018 15:49

Are Southampton relegation bound? Should the Saints suffer defeat today, which looks likely after a disappointing first half on Tyneside, then it will be just one win from their last 16 league games!

Jack Austin10 March 2018 15:53

Joe Hart for England? West Ham have kept a clean sheet so far on his return, but its his opposite number Nick Pope who has stood out for Burnley. A draw simply won't do for the Clarets if they harbour any hopes of leapfrogging Arsenal...

Jack Austin10 March 2018 15:55

Huddersfield have had 15 shots on goal to ten-man Swansea's none. Carlos Carvalhal's side have enjoyed something of a bounce since the former Sheffield Wednesday coach took charge at the Liberty Stadium. But after Jordan Ayew's red card, the good times may not extend to Yorkshire this afternoon... 

Jack Austin10 March 2018 15:59

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