Crystal Palace v Chelsea player ratings: Wilfried Zaha 6; Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic all 9

A 4-1 win at Selhurst Park moves Thomas Tuchel's side back into the top four

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  CRYSTAL PALACE PLAYER RATINGS: Vicente Guaita – 6. Conceding four goals is never a good look for a keeper, although the Spanish stopper pulled off a few saves and was sharp off his line to keep the scoreline from getting any worse. Getty Images

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  Joel Ward – 5. Given the run around by a fast and elusive Chelsea attack and dangerous Chilwell. Will have less challenging assignments for the rest of the season. PA

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  Gary Cahill – 6. A mixed game for the former Chelsea captain. Beaten in the air by Zouma for the Frenchman’s goal and was given a tough time against Havertz, yet also put in some fine blocks and last-ditch tackles. Getty Images

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  Cheikhou Kouyate – 5. Similar to centre-back partner Cahill, the Senegalese pulled off some big challenges but generally had an uncomfortable game. Getty Images

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  Patrick van Aanholt – 5. Looked decent on the occasions he got forward but defensively had his hands full against Hudson-Odoi and Havertz. AP

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  Jordan Ayew – 4. A forgettable game for the Ivorian, whose biggest contribution was slipping when the ball was played in his direction on the edge of the Chelsea area. Getty Images

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  Luka Milivojevic – 6. The pick of the Palace midfielders through effort and attitude alone, but really it was a tough day for the Serb and his team. AFP

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  Jairo Riedewald – 4. Outclassed and overwhelmed in midfield. Subbed just before the hour mark. Such was his contribution to this game, there are no photos of the Dutchman, so here’s one against Everton. AP

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  Eberechi Eze – 5. So often Palace’s standout player this season but it was the midfielder’s loss of possession that led to Chelsea’s opener and from then on struggled to gain a foothold in the game. PA

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  Christian Benteke – 6. Hammered home a strong header to give Palace a lifeline but it proved little more than a consolation. AFP

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  Wilfried Zaha – 6. Starved of service and cut a frustrated figure for much of the game, although looked lively when on the ball during brief moments of possession for Palace. Reuters

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  SUBS: James McCarthy (59’) – 5. His introduction made little difference to Palace or the outcome of the game (no match photo available). Getty Images

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  Jeffrey Schlupp (59’) – 7. Made an immediate impact with a pinpoint cross to set up Benteke’s bullet header. Can’t work out why he’s not a regular starter. Reuters

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  Andros Townsend (76’) – N/A. Little influence in a game Chelsea largely dominated up to the final whistle. Reuters

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  CHELSEA PLAYER RATINGS: Edouard Mendy – 6. No chance against Benteke’s header and provided a calm presence in the Chelsea goal on a day he didn’t have all that much to do. Getty Images

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  Cesar Azpilicueta – 7. A comfortable evening for the Chelsea captain. The Spaniard’s positioning and awareness was on point. Getty Images

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  Kurt Zouma – 7. Grabbed his fifth goal of the season with a fine header in another good all-round display. PA

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  Antonio Rudiger – 8. He missed last week’s debacle against West Brom. Back in the team for the last two games and Chelsea look so much more comfortable. The German defender is a vital part of Tuchel’s team. Reuters

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  Callum Hudson-Odoi – 8. A constant menace down the right flank and created the first goal for Havertz. Defensive frailties were revealed at times, but his attacking threat far outweighed any issues at the back. PA

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  Jorginho – 7. The sort of game the Italian thrives in as he helped Chelsea dominated possession. PA

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  Mateo Kovacic – 7. Not quite at his imposing best but did his job to ensure Chelsea kept control of the midfield. AFP

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  Ben Chilwell – 7. Not quite as threatening as his counterpart on the right flank but offered a constant outlet on the left wing. Unsurprisingly lost the aerial battle with Benteke for the Belgian’s goal. AFP

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  Mason Mount – 9. Another superlative performance by the England midfielder. Mount was at the centre of almost every dangerous Chelsea attack, thrusting his team forward with his pacey runs and sharp passing. Got himself an assist for Zouma’s goal. What a player. EPA

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  Christian Pulisic – 9. Two well taken goals for the American forward in a superb display. Linked up well with Havertz and Mount in what could prove an exciting frontline partnership. Reuters

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  Kai Havertz – 9. This is the Havertz Chelsea paid €90m for. The German was scintillating throughout – from opening the scoring with a classy finish to setting up Pulisic for the second to generally tearing Palace apart. Should have probably scored another couple. Chelsea will hope this marks a turning point after a stop-start season. PA

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  SUBS: N’Golo Kante (61’) – 6. A bit slow to react to Schlupp’s run down the left which allowed the Palace player to cross for Benteke’s goal. His passing was crisp and he brought fresh legs to midfield just when Palace were enjoying a few bright moments. Getty Images

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  Reece James (76’) – 7. Slotted seamlessly in on the right and provided the cross that led to Pulisic’s second goal to kill the game. PA

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  Hakim Ziyech (83’) – N/A. Brought on to give Kovacic a quick rest before the upcoming Champions League game against Porto. EPA

Chelsea roared back into fourth spot in the Premier League as Christian Pulisic scored twice in an impressive 4-1 victory at London rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday.

After manager Thomas Tuchel's long unbeaten run since taking charge ended abruptly against West Bromwich Albion last week, Chelsea responded in emphatic fashion.

Kai Havertz punished some sloppy defending to give Chelsea an eighth-minute lead and Pulisic doubled their advantage two minutes later with a powerful finish.

Chelsea dominated the first half and went 3-0 up on the half hour with a Kurt Zouma header.

Palace did improve after the break and Christian Benteke's header gave them a lifeline but Pulisic made the points safe with a close-range finish after 78 minutes.

Chelsea started the game in sixth place after Liverpool's last-gasp win against Aston Villa.

Yet Chelsea's biggest win since Tuchel took charge in January moved them back above Liverpool and West Ham United into fourth place with 54 points from 31 games, two head of West Ham, who host third-placed Leicester City on Sunday. Palace stay in 13th spot.

Assessing the performances at Selhurst Park, Jon Turner has provided his player rating in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.