ALVARO MORATA fired two past Palace but took a couple of salvos from Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri despite a 3-1.
Read on for all the match reaction, including Sarri’s searing summary and our verdict on which two players could be the key to toughening the Blues up. Plus news and gossip.
Alvaro Morata has now hit 14 goals in 40 Premier League games for Chelsea since joining from Real but Madrid has yet to fully convince their managementAlamy Live News
SARRI YOU GOT CAUGHT
JAMIE REDKNAPP has accused Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea of using “dart arts” after the Italian’s side lit up Stamford Bridge with another win on Sunday.
Alvaro Morata scored twice in a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace to see Chelsea leapfrog Liverpool and go second in the Premier League.
HOT ROBCHELSEA are reportedly eyeing up a move for Watford star Roberto Pereyra as a replacement for Eden Hazard – should the Belgian leave Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are understood to have drawn up a list of potential targets if their talisman calls time on his career in England, with Real Madrid desperate to nab him.
MOURINHO SALUTECHELSEA appeared to flash another “Jose Mourinho salute” yesterday as Pedro celebrated his goal in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.
The Portuguese waved three fingers at the crowd in Manchester United’s draw at Stamford Bridge last month, signalling the three Premier League titles he won in his two spells at the club.
‘RIGHT DECISION’EDEN HAZARD has been warned about quitting Chelsea for Real Madrid… by his BROTHER.
The Belgian attacker looked set to leave Stamford Bridge over the summer after intimating he was considering his future after helping his country to finish third at the World Cup.
GAME OF TWO ALVSMAURIZIO SARRI says Chelsea’s two-goal hero Alvaro Morata can be a “little bit fragile” and must improve if he hopes to be their main striker.
Morata impressed as the Blues 3-1 win over Crystal Palace put them second in the Premier League table on goal difference above Liverpool.
WHERE FLAIR IS A WILL THERE’S A WAYAMID the cheers and celebrations of another Chelsea win lies a curious statistic.
Maurizio Sarri’s side has not kept a clean sheet at home in the Premier League since September 1. But read our big-match verdict to see why Pedro and Willian could help them defend better from further forward.
Danny Drinkwater has been told he can leave ChelseaPA:Press Association
ON OR OFF?
ALVARO MORATA was on the scoresheet once again for the Blues – but was it offside?
Fans have take to Twitter to voice their confusion over the Spaniard’s positioning – a similar incident to Sadio Mane’s disallowed goal in yesterday’s Arsenal vs Liverpool draw.
BLUE ENDINGDANNY DRINKWATER and Victor Moses have been told by Maurizio Sarri that they are surplus to requirements at Chelsea.
The pair have struggled for game-time since the Italian’s arrival and could move on in January.
BLUES fans are raving after their 18-year-old loanee Reece James scored a brilliant free-kick for Wigan.
Supporters are calling for the youngster to be their next right-back, rather than signing someone in the summer.
JOAO MUCH?!BLUES are in a race against time to sign Benfica starlet Joao Felix on the ‘cheap’.
The 18-year-old has only made five league appearances so far this season – but the Portuguese club are offering him a new deal that would increase his buyout clause from £45m to £105m.
NOTHING TO LUIZDAVID LUIZ is wanted in Barcelona as the Catalans face a defensive crisis.
With the Brazilian out of contract at the end of the season, Barca hope they can get a cut-price deal to cover for Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen.
CHELSEA’S hopes of attracting Aaron Ramsey to Stamford Bridge have hit a stumbling block.
The Welshman is out of contract at the end of season, meaning he will be available for free – but German giants Bayern Munich have stolen a march on the race.
BLUES LOVE MUMCHELSEA and Manchester City are battling to sign Sunderland teen Bali Mumba.
Spies from both clubs saw the midfielder, 17, dazzle in the FA Youth Cup at Halifax on Wednesday.
BRIDGE DOESN’T NEED WINDOWMAURIZIO SARRI has suggested Chelsea might sign NO-ONE in January.
The Italian coach claims the Blues are not yet strong enough to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool but says his current squad can make the necessary improvement.
Victor Moses is another who looks set to depart ChelseaGetty
BARK’S GOT BITE
ROSS BARKLEY’S statistics speak for themselves.
Compared to Barkley’s final full season at Everton in 2016/17, he is running further, passing better, making assists more regularly and scoring more frequently for Chelsea so far in this Premier League campaign.
LET ME STAY AND PLAYRUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK admits he is frustrated at his lack of action – but says: “I want to play for Chelsea”.
The 22-year-old has only started six Premier League games for the Blues since coming through their Academy in 2014.
KOUL RUNNINGSCHELSEA fans want Maurizio Sarri to splash out for Kalidou Koulibaly in January following a stunning assist for Napoli.
The Senegal international was a huge success under Sarri in Naples and supporters believe he could have a similar impact at Stamford Bridge.
LOFTY HEIGHTSRUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK will be staying put at Chelsea when the January transfer window opens.
Maurizio Sarri has been highly impressed by the midfielder in recent weeks and reckons he can play a crucial part in Chelsea’s challenge for the title this season.
Loftus-Cheek scored four times in four matches last month, including a stunning hat-trick in the Europa League against BATE Borisov.
NAB HIMNABIL FEKIR has emerged as a serious contender to replace Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea chiefs fear the winger could jump ship for Real Madrid next summer.
And Lyon’s Fekir, who helped France to World Cup glory in July, could be heading to Chelsea as Hazard’s replacement just months after a move to Liverpool collapsed.
The Welsh midfielder will leave Arsenal on a free contract at the end of the season and was believed to be in Maurizio Sarri’s sights.
But the Italian has been won over by Loftus-Cheek and Barkley in recent games, meaning Ramsey may have to look elsewhere for his next big break.
NOT SO FABThe Spanish playmaker has proven himself to be a worthy back-up option to Jorginho at the heart of a midfield three.
But Fabregas’ current deal is up in the summer and he will have to sacrifice a chunk of his £160,000-a-week wages to remain in West London.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is frustrating with a lack of game time while Cesc Fabregas may be forced into a pay-cutGetty Images - Getty
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