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As it happenedended

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: N'Golo Kante fires Maurizio Sarri's side to victory

Re-live the action from Selhurst Park

Callum Rice-Coates
Sunday 30 December 2018 09:09 EST
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Chelsea: A look back at 2018

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N'Golo Kante earned Chelsea a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace to boost the Blues' bid for a place in the Premier League's top four.

Kante, a World Cup winner with France last summer, has been deployed in a more advanced position on the right side of midfield by Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea.

He netted his third Premier League goal of the season at Selhurst Park as Chelsea ended Palace's three-match unbeaten run to move five points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Willian and Ross Barkley had hit posts in quick succession in the first half and the hosts' performance showed little of the style and substance which had earned victory at Manchester City eight days earlier. Re-live the action below:

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Southampton 0-1 Manchester City

21 minutes

Lovely interplay between Danilo and Aguero on the edge of Southampton's box. It doesn't quite come off, but City are playing some excellent stuff.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:37

Sean Dyche might have been aware of Chris Wood's record against West Ham when he picked him in the starting XI this afternoon:

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:39

Southampton 0-1 Manchester City

25 minutes

The home fans are voicing their frustration. Their side have been comprehensively outplayed so far, and there's little they can do to stop City in full flow.

Aguero, yards out from goal, very nearly makes it two, but he's denied by McCarthy.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:41

Southampton 0-1 Manchester City

29 minutes

Ederson is unflappable. Danilo plays the ball into the goalkeeper, who controls under pressure and then beats Højbjerg with a dummy. 

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:46

Southampton 0-1 Manchester City

32 minutes

A first spell of pressure for Southampton, who have improved over the last few minutes. They'd hardly been out of their own half before this, but they're forcing City into some defending now.

Aguero is in the book for a late challenge.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:48

Southampton 0-1 Manchester City

33 minutes

A stunning save from Ederson, who gets down low and parries away Austin's header. Ward-Prowse has put in a couple of dangerous set pieces, and City look vulnerable to them.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:49

GOAL! Burnley 2-0 West Ham (McNeil)

34 minutes

Burnley have capitalised on a sloppy first half from West Ham. Dwight McNeil, waiting at the back post, meets an excellent ball in from Ashley Westwood, sliding in to convert and double the hosts' lead.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:51

GOAL! Southampton 1-1 Manchester City (Højbjerg)

37 minutes

City are caught out and Southampton equalise! Zinchenko dawdles on the ball, allowing Højbjerg to dispossess him. The midfielder drives forward and drills a powerful shot past Ederson. City need a response now.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:52

Southampton 1-1 Manchester City

40 minutes

City had been dominant, seemingly back to their unplayable best. But Southampton have increased the pressure towards the end of the half and Guardiola's side have again succumbed to it. Their defensive issues will be a real concern for the Catalan coach.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:57

Southampton 1-1 Manchester City

42 minutes

City attack for the first time in a while and Aguero, picked out by Silva, snatches at a shot, which trickles harmlessly wide. 

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:58

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