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Crystal Palace 1 - Chelsea 2: Oscar and Fabregas keep Blues on top
CHELSEA secured their status as Premier League leaders with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this afternoon despite both teams finishing with ten men.
Goals from Oscar and a first goal for Chelsea in the Premier League for Cesc Fabregas were enough for Jose Mourinho's side before Fraizer Campbell got a late consolation for the Eagles.
Cesar Azpilicueta was sent off for the visitors for a late, studs-up challenge on Mile Jedinak just before half-time only for Damien Delaney to follow the Spaniard down the tunnel moments later for a second yellow card.
Oscar gave Chelsea the lead with an exquisite free-kick with six minutes gone but Palace refused to roll over and continued to threaten on the break.
But Fabregas' strike - which came after a good interchange of passing on the edge of the area - in the 51st minute was enough for Chelsea to see off the challenge and take all three points.
Wih time running out Wilfried Zaha - on as a substitute - got to the byline and cut back for Campbell to bundle the ball home but too late to alter the ultimate result.