Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace were outclassed 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in a match they never looked like winning.

An Alvaro Morata brace and a Pedro strike gave the home side the points as Andros Townsend’s goal to briefly level the game will be nothing more than a consolation.

Playing with Townsend and Wilfried Zaha in a front two, Hodgson’s side lacked width and were set up to play on the counter.

Chelsea dominated possession in the first half but it was Palace who looked the more likely to score. Relying on Zaha and Townsend’s pace on the counter attack they made some nice openings but so quick was their break, no-one could get in to the box with them.

The deadlock was broken on 33 minutes when a mishit shot from Pedro fell to his countryman six-yards out who instinctively took a touch and lashed it home.

Shortly after the break Palace squared things up. On 53 minutes James McArthur’s sublime pass cut through Chelsea’s defence and left Townsend one on one with Kepa in goal. The former Spurs and Newcastle man made no mistake as he fired home in front of the traveling support.

The celebrations weren’t long lived and upon the introduction of Hazard shortly after the hour, Chelsea kicked in to gear.

Hazards freekick from the right eluded everyone until it fell to Morata who again, instinctively, fired home from the angle to give Chelsea the lead they deserved.

With Zaha and Townsend both getting little change from Rudiger and Luiz, it was Chelsea who pressed forward.

Chelsea’s third goal was far too simple. Marcos Alonso drilled in a cross from the left which found Pedro’s late run and he swept home from 12-yards. Hodgson will not be happy with his side’s defending for both goals.

Hodgson sent Jordan Ayew on in search for agoal but the hosts were more than capable of seeing the game out.

Morata should have had a hattrick with the final act of the game but after being sent through for a one on one, Wayne Hennessey stood tall as the Spaniards chip went into the Welshmans arms.

Palace welcome Tottenham to Selhurst Park next weekend and Hodgson will be hoping for a much improved display.