Chelsea managed to stave off a stubborn Crystal Palace side as they recorded a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge, with Maurizio Sarri making history in the process.
The Blues were slow off the blocks, with Crystal Palace taking the game to them in the early exchanges. But, Maurizio Sarri’s men did go on to grab the lead through Alvaro Morata, who was set up by Pedro in the 33rd minute.
Chelsea ended the first half the stronger of the two sides, but Palace came out firing after the break before finding the equaliser through Andros Townsend, who finished a delightful move after combining with James McArthur. However, that was good as got for the visitors, as the Blues turned things around in style.
Two goals in five minutes – one each by Morata and Pedro – saw Chelsea put the game out of Palace’s reach, as they climbed up to second on the Premier League table. The result also meant Sarri became only the second ever manager to go 11 games unbeaten in his first five Premier League games. And, fans hailed the impact he has had at Chelsea.
“I’m very proud to be a coach of this team. The record isn’t the record of the coach, it’s the record of the team. I’m lucky, I have very good players”
– Maurizio Sarri. The manager we have been waiting for ? ? pic.twitter.com/B6scNrjGu5
— Uber Chelsea FC ? (@UberCheIseaFC) November 4, 2018
Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea are the first team in Europe to complete 7000+ passes this season.
It's just 11 gameweeks. Devastating #SarriStuff #cfc pic.twitter.com/AMtPhCCLAz
— Sarri Stuff (@SarriStuff) November 4, 2018
Italian Einstein
— Eɢᴢᴏɴ ???? (@egzzonrama) November 2, 2018
Sarri turning us into a winning machine
— َ (@HazardEdition) November 4, 2018
Maurizio Sarri now holds the record for the longest unbeaten start to the Premier League. #SarriBall #CFC #Chelsea pic.twitter.com/MqRSZV69DM
— Chad (@ChelseaChadder) November 4, 2018
No PL manager has gone more than 11 games unbeaten in his debut season.
Sarrivating. #SarriStuff #CFC pic.twitter.com/1thZmcMAKG
— Sarri Stuff (@SarriStuff) November 4, 2018
Whatever Sarri is smoking, may he never stop it!
Three points and 11 unbeaten! Great day to be a Blue!#CHECRY pic.twitter.com/snPctZwXSS
— T R I F O R D ?? (@trifordk18) November 4, 2018
Alvaro Morata has scored in each of his last two starts in the Premier League, and Chelsea fans exuded a sense of hope over the Spaniard’s form.
So you mean to tell me struggling out of form Morata has more goals than 'world class' Firmino despite playing considerably less games and he's also on level terms with Lukaku.
I prefer not to speak…
— Mod (@CFCMod_) November 4, 2018
Morata now got more goals than Lukaku, Firmino with six. On the same as Lacazette.
Not bad for the “worst striker” in the league. pic.twitter.com/FL0gBbquTD
— Pys (@CFCPys) November 4, 2018
Morata. Is. Back. ⚽️⚽️#CFC #CHECRY #Morata pic.twitter.com/q8UYoZkex0
— Simply SarriBall (@SimplySarriBall) November 4, 2018
Two goals, wow!
Always happy when Morata scores#CFC #ktbffh pic.twitter.com/LE3oG7I4Ck— Rahul Terwankar (@rahulterwankar) November 4, 2018
Morata now be like pic.twitter.com/v2xR3OdtSS
— Daniel Daniel (@the_ddaniel) November 4, 2018
Morata goal brought joy to this little baby pic.twitter.com/QpUiiNEhPE
— ChelseaFc Nigeria (@ChelseaFcNiger1) November 4, 2018
Meanwhile, Eden Hazard helped swing the momentum in Chelsea’s favour upon his introduction, and fans commended the instant impact he created.
64th minute: Eden Hazard comes on
65th minute: Eden Hazard assists Alvaro MorataBest player in the league ? pic.twitter.com/mqck1bT5hf
— Filip Gustafsson (@Filip_G12) November 4, 2018
"Chelsea gave hazard 26 minutes,he gave them the game" Well said. #CHECRY #cfc
— Hitler Billi (@bongDey) November 4, 2018
Morata second goal! Hazard making an impact already, 2-1 get in ??? #CHECRY pic.twitter.com/rOWfMtsJ1D
— Rachel (@Rac__h3l) November 4, 2018
Chelsea scoring two goals just minutes after subbing Hazard on?
That guy is a cheat code
— Fredrik (@F_Edits) November 4, 2018
Eden Hazard Effect?? #CHECRY #CFC pic.twitter.com/8gcLK5Xt7m
— The Blues (@TheBlues___) November 4, 2018