Havertz shows class as irresistible Chelsea put Crystal Palace to the sword

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Kai Havertz produced his best display in a Chelsea shirt yet as the Blues recorded a convincing victory over Crystal Palace.

With their West Brom disaster firmly in the rear-view mirror, Chelsea set about tearing Crystal Palace apart from the get go. Kai Havertz won the ball back in a dangerous area before receiving the ball back inside the area.

Playing as a false nine, the German added much needed goals to his game by delightfully curling a low strike beyond Vicente Guaita and into the bottom corner.

Havertz was heavily involved and then turned provider for Christian Pulisic to rifle home his third league goal of the campaign.

Played in by Ben Chilwell down the left, Havertz fed the American who almost lifted the net off its moorings with an emphatic close-range finish.

Despite Pulisic’s best efforts, it was the Havertz show. The ex Leverkusen man then came close to notching what would’ve surely been a goal of the season contender.

Picked out with a simple long ball, the makeshift striker flicked the ball over Patrick Van Aanholt and volleyed goalward without the ball ever hitting the ground. Guaita was on hand to foil the moment, however, parrying the ball to safety.

The procession towards Palace’s goal continued when Kurt Zouma then dominated Gary Cahill in the air to put the Blues three goals to the good.

The Frenchman almost bagged a brace moments later, though Van Aanholt was on hand to head off the line following another wicked Mason Mount delivery.

The second half brought little respite for the hosts. Chilwell, fresh off his maiden Champions League goal midweek, was causing havoc down the left.

It was at the other end the left-back’s most telling contribution would be made, however, as Palace soon pulled one back.

Jeffrey Schlupp did well to craft space down the left before whipping an inch-perfect ball to the far post.

Christian Benteke easily outmuscled Chilwell to nod home to set up a thrilling final half hour.

Any hopes of an Eagles comeback were dashed when Pulisic notched his second of the match.

Substitute Reece James curled a teasing delivery that Cahill could not deal with. His minor touch couldn’t divert the ball away from Pulisic who made no mistake from five yards.

Havertz continued to menace the Palace backline with clever movement. But for a lack of decisiveness in front of goal, the German could’ve had four.

In the end he had to settle for one as Chelsea cruised to a comfortable 4-1 win.