Half-time: Crystal Palace 0 Chelsea 0

Premier League leaders Chelsea were frustrated in a goalless first half at relegation-threatened Crystal Palace.

The first chance of the game fell to Fernando Torres from a long throw-in, but the Spain international’s snatched close-range volley was comfortably blocked by Scott Dan.

Chelsea were next denied by the sliding intervention of Joel Ward, beating the outstretched figure of Andre Schurrle at the back post after Cesar Azpilicueta whipped in an inviting low ball after breaking clear on the counter-attack.

Palace were driven forward by Jason Puncheon, who carved out the best opening of the first half, picking out the unmarked Yannick Bolasie, who could only fire into the side netting after failing to bring the ball down with his first touch as Petr Cech scrambled to cover his back post.

It sparked a period of sustained Eagles pressure that included two penalty shouts that were turned down by referee Lee Mason after Gary Cahill first clattered into Cameron Jerome before then tangling with Bolasie.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Matic, Lampard, Schurrle, Hazard, Torres.
Subs: Hilario, Kalas, Mikel, Willian, Salah, Oscar, Ba.

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