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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

76: West Brom 1-3 Leicester

76: Everton 2-0 Brighton

Two goals that end these two as contests. Cenk Tosun has two in two for his new club, while Kelechi Iheanacho has condemned West Brom to another disappointing defeat.

Jack Austin10 March 2018 16:35

Trouble at West Ham

Play has restarted after referee Lee Mason consults both managers. Sean Dyche will be determined to avoid an abandonment. 

Jack Austin10 March 2018 16:36

RED CARD - BRIGHTON

Knockaert 

Jack Austin10 March 2018 16:37

80: Everton 2-0 Brighton

Things go from bad to worse for the visitors after Knockaert walks for a late challenge on Leighton Baines.

Jack Austin10 March 2018 16:38

TEAM NEWS - CHELSEA : Giroud starts against Crystal Palace in the late kick-off!

Jack Austin10 March 2018 16:39

Jack Austin10 March 2018 16:40

Mark Noble chucks a fan to the floor. The game is back underway. 

Jack Austin10 March 2018 16:43

GOAL - BURNLEY

Chris Wood gets his second

Jack Austin10 March 2018 16:43

MISSED PENALTY

Wayne Rooney misses a penalty against Brighton

Jack Austin10 March 2018 16:44

81: West Ham 0-3 Burnley

Joe Hart will want to forget this one quickly. The ball dips slightly before evading him. Chris Wood has his second, but the story is all about the unsavoury scenes off the pitch. The fans are screaming for the owners David Gold and David Sullivan to leave. There are reports of Burnley substitutes helping children out of the stands to get away from fan scuffles.

Jack Austin10 March 2018 16:46

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