London: Chelsea reeled off an 11th successive victory in a Premier League season for the first time Saturday when Diego Costa's header secured a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace in a demonstration of the leader's efficient transformation under Antonio Conte.
Chelsea surged nine points clear at the summit, ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal playing in this round, exactly a year after Jose Mourinho was fired with the west London club hovering above the relegation zone.
Whereas "palpable discord" with his players triggered Mourinho's exit, there now seems to be a harmonious dressing room under Conte.
While Chelsea are unadventurous in front of goal under the Italian, they are watertight in defence, keeping nine clean sheets in the winning run that started after a 3-0 humbling at Arsenal.
Chelsea took 37 minutes to register a shot at Selhurst Park but Costa's match-winning moment came two minutes before halftime when the striker headed in Cesar Azpilicueta's cross. It was Costa's 13th goal of the season, eclipsing last season's haul before the halfway point has been reached.
Chelsea will have to cope without Costa at the start of the packed festive program at home to Bournemouth on December 26 when he will serve a one-match ban for picking up a fifth booking of the season for dissent just before scoring.
N'Golo Kante, who was cautioned in the second half for persistent fouls, also has his Christmas off after accumulating five yellow cards.
Crystal Palace's problems deepened with Alan Pardew's side condemned to an eighth loss in 10 games to remain three points above the relegation zone.
