March 29 2014

Joe Ledley (Photo: Andy Roberts)

Crystal Palace shocked Premier League leaders Chelsea with a brilliant, deserved 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park.

The win hands Palace a massive boost in their fight against relegation, while denting the Blues' charge for the title.

Chelsea, who were content to hit long balls up to Fernando Torres early on, almost went when Cesar Azpilicueta's cross was put wide by Andre Schurrle under pressure from Joel Ward.

Yannick Bolasie fired into the side-netting after initially chesting down a cross when perhaps he should have headed it first time. Then Palace were denied shouts for a penalty after Gary Cahill hacked down Cameron Jerome. It was the first of many decisions from referee Lee Mason that favoured Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho's frustration with the goalless score at the break saw him replace David Luiz for fellow Brazilian Oscar for the second half.

Seven minutes after the restart Palace got their noses in front when John Terry nodded Ward's left-wing cross into his own net while going for the header with Joe Ledley.

Julian Speroni pulled off an excellent save to beat out Eden Hazard's curled effort and he then reacted quickly to save another one from him at full stretch that was heading for the net.

Palace were dangerous on the counter attack and could have added more goals with a number of efforts.

Jason Puncheon dragged inches wide, Cameron Jerome hit the post, Puncheon saw his effort saved by Petr Cech, sub Stuart O'Keefe forced Cech to push his strike over and Ledley shot wide of the goal.

O'Keefe almost gave Torres an opportunity to level with an awful back pass but the Eagles held on to claim a first league win over Chelsea in nearly 24 years.

Palace: Speroni, Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Puncheon (Parr 90), Ledley, Bolasie (O’Keefe, 70), Jerome (Murray 88).

Not used: Hennessey, McCarthy, Ince, Bannan.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Luiz (Oscar 45), Matic, Lampard (Salah 57), Schurrle (Ba 70), Torres, Hazard.

Not used: Hilario, Kalas, Mikel, Willian.

2013/14 match reports

2013/14 squad stats

Premier League table

How did you get on in the Prediction League?

Did you take any photos of the game? Upload them here

Rate the players' performance here