LONDON: Chelsea climb to third place in the English Premier League (EPL) after a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace here.

Frank Lampard’s side are nearing to secure their place in the Champions League next season as their seventh win of eight matches brings them one point ahead of Leicester City and a five-point lead over fifth-placed Manchester United.

The Blues were fortunate to open the scoring at Selhurst Park when former Chelsea captain Gary Cahill fell, allowing Willian to throw the ball for Olivier Giroud to hit the fourth goal in six games.

Christian Pulisic’s performance since the start of the EPL competition has made him compared to Eden Hazard, his replacement at Stamford Bridge, and the Belgian will surely be proud of Chelsea’s second goal when the 21-year-old striker from United over Joel Ward and explodes into the corner.

“Christian is very important,” Lampard said. “You look at the top strikers in the world and they score goals and help you score goals often for victory and this time he does it. So I’m really happy with him.”

Frequently this season, Lampard’s squad failed to wield their dominance and Wilfried Zaha exploded past Kepa Arrizabalaga in the distance for Palace’s first goal in four games.

Chelsea looked to have three points when substitutes Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham combined to maintain a two-goal lead 19 minutes before the end.

Just a minute later, Palace were back in the game when Patrick van Aanholt threw the ball for Christian Benteke to score his second goal of the season.