Alvaro Morata helps Chelsea to hard-fought victory against Crystal Palace

Relive all the action from the Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge

Morata's second put Chelsea back in front (Getty)

Alvaro Morata scored twice as unbeaten Chelsea climbed to second in the Premier League with a 3-1 victory against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

After Liverpool drew at Arsenal on Saturday, Chelsea knew victory would send them second and in-form Spain forward Morata saw them on their way with two smart finishes.

First the 26-year-old skilfully controlled and converted Pedro's cross in the 32nd minute, then -- after Andros Townsend equalised -- the often maligned Morata lashed home from a tight angle in the 65th minute for his fourth goal in four league matches.

Pedro then sealed the victory five minutes later, ghosting into the box to convert Marcos Alonso's cross in the 70th minute for a Chelsea side, who also welcomed back Eden Hazard as a second-half substitute.

Chelsea, one of three unbeaten sides, have 27 points from 11 games -- two fewer than leaders Manchester City -- and lead Liverpool in third on goal difference.

Palace, meanwhile, have won just twice in the league this season and remain 14th with eight points.

PA

Relive all the action below

[4 November 2018 16:01 · Callum Rice-Coates]

The teams are out at Stamford Bridge and kick off is moments away. Chelsea are without Eden Hazard, but are still strong favourites. A win today would take Maurizio Sarri's side to second in the Premier League.

Palace, off the back of a 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend, will be hoping for a shock result. Follow all the action live here.

[4 November 2018 16:02 · Callum Rice-Coates]

We're underway! Can Chelsea move above Liverpool into second?

[4 November 2018 16:05 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

3 minutes

The visitors have started well. Zaha finds himself in the box after some neat interplay, and his attempted ball across is deflected out for a corner.

[4 November 2018 16:10 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

7 minutes

Nearly an unfortunate moment for James Tomkins. He swipes at a Barkley cross but Hennessey is well positioned to catch the ball.

[4 November 2018 16:14 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

12 minutes

Chelsea appear to have settled into the game after a slow start. They're enjoying most of the possession and starting to look threatening. Palace, though, have shown that they're dangerous on the break.

[4 November 2018 16:16 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

14 minutes

A promising Palace counter comes to nothing. Van Aanholt bursts forward from left back and Zaha picks him out. His cross is poor, though, and it's easily cleared.

[4 November 2018 16:19 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

17 minutes

Zaha drives forward from deep as Palace look to spring another counter. He's brought down and the resulting free kick comes to nothing. But Chelsea are not comfortable here.

[4 November 2018 16:22 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

20 minutes

Zaha is in the thick of the action again. He finds space on the right and pulls the ball back for Max Meyer, whose shot is over the bar.

[4 November 2018 16:24 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

22 minutes

It's all Palace at the moment. Meyer again finds room to shoot at goal, but this time his effort is blocked.

[4 November 2018 16:28 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

25 minutes

Zaha breaks through and runs at David Luiz one on one. The Brazilian does well to hold him up, and his attempted pass is poor.