League leaders Chelsea came to Selhurst Park attempting to keep their lead at the top of the Premier League at 5 points. Having suffered a defeat there last season, Chelsea made sure they were better equipped for Crystal Palace’s pressure. They emerged victorious 2-1, with goals from Oscar and Cesc Fabregas. Frazier Campbell replied late on with a goal from Wilfried Zaha’s ball across the box, but the Eagles were unable to score an equalizer.

Here are the player ratings:

Crystal Palace

Julian Speroni –6.5/10

The fan-favorite around Selhurst Park could not be blamed for either of Chelsea’s two goals. Apart from the two goals, he was hardly tested.

Martin Kelly–6/10

Faced the tough assignment of limiting the influence of Eden Hazard. Put in a decent performance, without really standing out.

Brede Hangeland –5.5/10

The former Fulham captain did not have a true player to mark, as Loic Remy felt more inclined to drop deep and link up play.

Damien Delaney –3/10

Lunged in when he did not need to early on against Willian, which resulted in Chelsea scoring in a free-kick. Another poor challenge, this time on Remy, resulted in a yellow card. Showed stupidity in holding back Remy when his team were up a man to get himself sent off in a poor performance.

Joel Ward –6.5/10

Played a nice ball early in the game to Bolasie and generally performed well. Had a great block on a Hazard strike in the first half. Whenever he cut back on his right foot to cross, however, there was no end product.

Mile Jedinak–6/10

Played in his usual role deep in midfield, where he passes the ball and makes tackles. Gave too much space to the likes of Fabregas and Matic in the second half, after Delaney had been sent off.

Joe Ledley–5.5/10

Put in a shift for his team, passing with accuracy, and ran as much as he could. Taken off for Mariappa in the second half when his side were two goals down.

James McArthur–6/10

Pressed very well early on against Chelsea’s midfield/attack, as he exerted as much energy as possible.  Cleared John Terry’s header off of the line. After a clearance in the second half, he had to be taken off with an apparent thigh injury.

Jason Puncheon –6/10

Was far from his best on the night, as he was unable to cut inside on his left foot. The one time he did, he forced a good save from Courtois. Never really tested Azpilicueta or Filipe Luis.

Yannick Bolasie –7/10

Tested Ivanovic with his pace and trickery, and almost scored late on, if not for a brilliant sliding challenge from Gary Cahill.

Frazier Campbell –8/10

A constant thorn in the first half for Gary Cahill, as he used his pace to beat the English center-back twice, once forcing a save from Courtois. Caused problems for the defense, and was rewarded with a goal late on.

Subs

Adrian Mariappa –5.5/10

Slotted into Delaney’s center-back position and did not make any great contribution of note.

Wilfried Zaha –7/10

Came on and made a real difference for Crystal Palace. Tested Ivanovic with his skill and beat Filipe Luis on the right hand side to set up Campbell’s late goal.

Guedioura–5/10

The Moroccan international came on in the second half, but did inspire confidence. His passing was poor, and did not really offer Palace an attacking threat.

Chelsea

Thibaut Courtois  –7

Was tested early on from Frazier Campbell strike, which he duly saved and also had a good save from a Puncheon strike. His fast distribution was a good asset for Chelsea, as it allowed the team to start counter-attacks. Was caught in no man’s land from a corner, however. Will be disappointed not to keep a clean sheet.

Branislav Ivanovic–6.5/10

Had a difficult opponent in Bolasie early on, but still kept the Palace man in check. Faced Zaha in the second half, and once again, the Serbian captain adapted well. Showed great strength to keep the ball in the build-up to Chelsea’s second goal.

Gary Cahill –5.5/10

Had one of his toughest nights in a long time up against Campbell. Was beaten too easily on more than one occasion. Saved his team with a brilliant sliding challenge to deny Bolasie from scoring late on.

John Terry –6.5/10

The Chelsea captain put in a solid performance. Almost scored with a flicked header from a corner, and set up a chance for Matic with a good header. Beaten by Campbell’s pace in the first half, for which he was possibly lucky to receive no yellow card.

Cesar Azpilicueta–4

Chelsea Mr. Reliable was sent-off for a poor two-footed challenge on Jedinak, which could have cost his team. Had a good clearing header in the first half to put the ball out for a corner.

Nemanja Matic –7.5/10

He dropped deep between his center-backs to start attacks, and found lots of space in the second half to keep possession of the ball. At times, he was overrun in the first half on the counter-attack, due to his lack of pace. Had two poor shots which failed to test Speroni, but came close with a header in the first half.

Cesc Fabregas–8/10

Kept possession with ease throughout the game, especially in the second half. Could have been sent off for a scuffle with Campbell when Azpilicueta was sent-off. Scored a brilliant team move by giving Speroni the eyes and finishing inside the near post.

Eden Hazard–7

Was not at his best, but still put in a good performance. Drew fouls from Kelly and buzzed around with ease. Came close with a strike wide of Speroni’s goal in the second half. A dreadful pass almost led to a goal for Palace midway throughout the second half.

Oscar –8.5/10

Man of the Match. Scored a free-kick across Speroni and into the far post early on, a carbon copy of the one he scored against Stoke in January. Tackled very well, as he always does, putting in a shift for the team. Set up Fabregas’s goal for good measure.

Willian –6.5/10

Drew a foul from Delaney, which resulted in a Chelsea goal. Showed the type of energy Chelsea needed in this sort of game. Unlucky to be taken off when Azpilicueta was sent off.

Loic Remy –6.5/10

Usually a player who runs in behind, Remy played well by dropping deep and linking up play. Did not really have any chances to score.

Subs

Filipe Luis – 7/10

Brought on to fill in at left-back following Azpilicueta’s dismissal. A poor challenge on Puncheon resulted in a free-kick for Palace. In the second half, he was superb, making a number of interceptions, going forward at ease. Beaten too easily by Zaha for Palace’s goal, however.

Mohamed Salah –N/A

Did not really receive the ball enough to make an impact after coming on. Had one good run, and in the next few weeks, he will probably be playing more games.

Didier Drogba – N/A

Came on to hold out the game and showed strength against the Palace defenSe.

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