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Cesc Fabregas joined Chelsea from Barcelona in the summer

Costa misses game through injury

Fabregas scores first Premier League goal since 2010

Both sides have men sent-off in first half

Chelsea unbeaten in league since April

Cesc Fabregas scored his first league goal for Chelsea as the Premier League leaders survived a late Crystal Palace fightback to maintain a five-point advantage over Manchester City.

The Blues shrugged off the absence of top scorer Diego Costa to open the scoring with a 25-yard Oscar free-kick.

Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta and Palace's Damien Delaney were sent off before Fabregas finished a fine move.

Fraizer Campbell's late goal provided a scare but Jose Mourinho's men held on.

Campbell's goal arguably flattered a Palace side who looked dangerous on the break in the first half but were comprehensively outplayed from the moment Fabregas doubled Chelsea's lead.

Match facts Cesc Fabregas has now been involved in eight goals (one goal, seven assists) in eight PL games for Chelsea Ten different players have scored a Premier League goal for Chelsea this season; more than at any other club Both of Oscar's Premier League goals this season have come in the opening seven minutes of games Mile Jedinak (50) made the most passes for Palace. Six Chelsea players made more with Fabregas on top (123)

By that stage both sides had been reduced to 10 men, but neither Azpilicueta nor Delaney could have any real argument with referee Craig Pawson's decisions.

Mourinho's rivals would have hoped that the loss of Costa - who has been so impressive since joining from Atletico Madrid in the summer - to an undisclosed injury would have stalled the Blues, but although deputy Loic Remy was relatively quiet, goalscorers Fabregas and Oscar were in magnificent touch in midfield.

Oscar's strike was special, a swerving free-kick past Julian Speroni, but the home side briefly threatened to score the game's second goal despite Chelsea bossing possession.

Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea: Jose Mourinho praises Cesc Fabregas

Campbell got in behind a hesitant Gary Cahill before lobbing onto the roof of the net, and the former Sunderland man then turned Cahill again to flash a low shot across the face of Thibaut Courtois's goal.

But those were two isolated moments in a half controlled by Chelsea, as John Terry - captain for the 500th time - had a header cleared off the line by James McArthur.

A steady half then ignited in three minutes as Azpilicueta's heavy touch led him to clatter Mile Jedinak in front of Pawson, who had no choice but to dismiss the full-back.

Fabregas and Campbell were both booked for an altercation which saw the former pull the latter to the ground, and moments later Fabregas urged Pawson to show a second yellow card to Delaney.

Chelsea's leading appearances as captain John Terry - 500 games Ron Harris - 324 games Dennis Wise - 298 games

The Republic of Ireland international had already been booked when he pulled Remy to the ground, for a soft but correct dismissal.

Warnock unhappy with officials

With 10 against 10 in the second half the leaders were well on top, and doubled their advantage with a fine second goal, described as 'scandalously good' by Mourinho after the game.

Fabregas played a one-two with Eden Hazard on the edge of the box before swiftly playing another with Oscar and slotting home his first Premier League goal in nearly four years.

Chelsea were then well on top until Wilfried Zaha powered through substitute Filipe Luis to cross for Campbell to sweep home.

But Chelsea were untroubled throughout stoppage time to keep hold of their advantage and unbeaten record at the top of the Premier League.

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Oscar has now scored three times in his past five Chelsea appearances

Tempers were frayed as players from both sides clashed in the aftermath of Cesar Azpilicueta's red card

Referee Craig Pawson also dismissed Palace defender Damien Delaney

Cesc Fabregas's last Premier League goal was against Chelsea - for Arsenal in December 2010