Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea, Premier League: Half-time report

There's a literal fog hanging over the ground and a bit of proverbial fog hanging over Chelsea's play so far.  A bit labored, a bit inaccurate (count the silly giveaways!), a bit unlucky.  Also, a lot fouled by Crystal Palace players, and with the referee making several, shall we say, questionable decisions, it's not been Chelsea's day so far (UPDATE: or has it?).

A frustrating away day at Palace isn't the most surprising of outcomes of course, and as long as we keep the clean sheet, all we'll need is the single goal (UPDATE: now let's get a couple more).  Need to get Hazard on the ball, need more Moses, more Costa, more interplay between the front three which has produced Chelsea's best moments of the game so far.  There was also a great break where Alonso just failed to pick out Willian for a free shot.

And just as I had finished writing that when Costa staked Chelsea into the lead after a nice cross by Azpilicueta and an even better header from the big man himself.  It's Chelsea's first headed goal of the season and it pretty much came out of nowhere, just the seventh shot of the half and the first on target between the two teams.  Costa's league-leading 13th of the season, 50th in his Chelsea career.  Oh, and he did finally pick up his fifth yellow card of the season, which means that he will be suspended for the Bournemouth game on Boxing Day (get ready, Michy!).

Always improve.  Let's go.