Crystal Palace 0 Chelsea 1: From Diego Costa’s antics to Alan Pardew’s future, five things we learnt as Blues equalled club record with 11th straight Premier League wins at Selhurst Park

DIEGO COSTA'S first-half strike was the difference as Chelsea equalled their Premier League record with 11 straight wins after disposing of Crystal Palace.

Antonio Conte's men extended their league at the top of the table to a whopping nine points.

Other than the obvious - in that the Blues really are the real deal with 11 wins, 25 goals and just two conceded in their last 11 games - here are five things we learnt at Selhurst Park...

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1. PARD TO BELIEVE

IT'S difficult to know how Crystal Palace are languishing near the foot of the table - and that Alan Pardew is set to lose his job at Selhurst Park... Based on this performance, at least.

Throughout the first half, the Eagles took the game to the Chelsea defence, terrorising them with the fluid passing and pace in attack.

With Palace playing to their strengths, Conte's Blues were visibly rattled at times.

In truth, the hosts could - and perhaps should - have been 1-0 or even 2-0 up before Costa gave the table-toppers the lead.

If Pardew and Co play like that in every game, playing their own style, not only will they survive the drop, then they could easily break into the top ten.

2. COST? PRICELESS

ONCE again Costa proved just what an asset he is to Chelsea.

After an underwhelming 2015-16 campaign, netting just 12 times, the Spaniard has surpassed that total this term already after netting on the stroke of half-time with a lovely cushioned header.

Costa picked up a yellow card earlier in the game, meaning he will miss the Boxing Day clash with Bournemouth.

But so long as the Blues have Costa at their disposal for the rest of the season, they are no doubt the favourites to win the Premier League title.

3. BLUE CHRISTMAS

IT would appear that none of Chelsea's stars fancy the Boxing Day clash...

Both Costa and N'Golo Kante went into the game against Palace knowing a yellow card would mean they miss the trip to Bournemouth.

And they both saw yellow in the game to pick up their fifth of the year and miss the festive showdown.

Typically the move sparked something of a conspiracy theory on Twitter...

4. WE'LL MICH YOU

SPEAKING of Diego Costa missing the Boxing Day extravaganza, it poses the question: Who will Conte start for the game on the south coast?

The only other recognised out-and-out striker in the senior side is Michy Batshuayi - who's netted just once in the top flight this term.

Elsewhere, Eden Hazard or Pedro could slip into a false nine position.

But one thing is for certain, with Costa shouldering the goalscoring burden at the Blues this term, losing him will be a big miss.

5. MAKING HIS MARC

WHEN you look at the Chelsea line-up, there are some decent strikers of a dead-ball.

Players such as Hazard or Willian are often the ones to line-up to have a crack at goal from distance.

But should they ever need it - or fancy a left-footer - then look no further than Marcos Alonso.

The left-wing-back sent a stunning effort, seemingly destined for the top corner, crashing against the underside of the bar, mere millimetres away from killing off the game.

While you get no points for hitting the woodwork, it's certainly handy to know there's another option in your ranks...