A first-half header from Diego Costa has earned Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, a result which takes the Blues nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Antonio Conte's men have now won 11 games in a row in the top flight and they are all but assured of ending 2016 in first place in the standings.

As for Palace, a second defeat in three days leaves them looking over their shoulder with just three points separating the club from the relegation zone.

The home side put a lot of effort into the opening stages of the game but despite their endeavours nullifying Chelsea, they were unable to create any opportunities of their own.

It took them until 20 minutes in to threaten an opening goal, with Jason Puncheon miscuing the ball wide of the post after meeting Martin Kelly's low cross.

Moments later, Costa ended his lengthy run without a caution by picking up his fifth yellow card of the season - a booking which means he will miss the Boxing Day fixture with Bournemouth.

The Spaniard also picked up a cut to his face after being unintentionally kicked by James McArthur, and he remained on the periphery of the game as Palace went close through a McArthur header and Puncheon free kick.

However, with three minutes of the first half remaining, Costa got on the scoresheet as he rose above Scott Dann to head Cesar Azpilicueta's cross into the bottom corner.

Palace returned for the second half on the front foot with Yohan Cabaye forcing a solid stop out of Thibaut Courtois from 25 yards, before N'Golo Kante warmed the fingertips of Wayne Hennessey from long range.

Alan Pardew's side proceeded to dominate the following 15 minutes but with a quarter of the game remaining, Chelsea began to regain control with Marcos Alonso's volley going into the side-netting and Fabregas's first-time effort being comfortably saved by Hennessey.

Palace hit back through Christian Benteke, who miscued a volley at Courtois after getting the better of Gary Cahill, before Hennessey made two saves in as many minutes from Kante and Alonso.

With six minutes left, Alonso struck the crossbar with a sublime free kick from just over 20 yards and it led to Chelsea remaining just one goal ahead as the game went into the closing stages.

However, despite five minutes of added-on time, Palace were limited to a wayward Andros Townsend free kick and Conte's side were able to register yet another three points without much alarm.