Chelsea moved back into the Premier League top four as Christian Pulisic scored twice in an impressive 4-1 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Liverpool’s dramatic 2-1 win over Aston Villa earlier on Saturday had squeezed Thomas Tuchel’s side out to sixth prior to kick-off, but Kai Havertz struck inside eight minutes to ease any fears of another set-back following last weekend’s 5-2 defeat at home to West Brom.

Chelsea doubled their lead just two minutes later when Havertz turned provider for Pulisic to rifle in a quickfire second and Kurt Zouma extended the visitors’ lead when he headed in his fifth goal of the season (30).

Palace had offered very little, but found a route back into the game when Christian Benteke headed in at the far post (63), but Pulisic capped a routine win for Chelsea from close range as Tuchel’s men responded in this absorbing race to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Palace remain in 13th place on 38 points.