Premier League leaders Chelsea maintained their five-point advantage over Manchester City with a deserved victory over Crystal Palace in an heated London derby at Selhurst Park on Saturday which saw both sides reduced to 10 men.

Goals from Oscar and Cesc Fabregas early in each half had the Blues in cruise control and, despite Frazier Campbell’s late consolation, Jose Mourinho’s side held on with ease to seal their fifth consecutive win in all competitions.

Despite being without the services of injured top-scorer Diego Costa, it was another of their in-form players who opened the scoring after just six minutes when Oscar found the net with a superb curling free-kick for his third goal in five appearances.

The home side threatened to grab an equaliser through Campbell as he lobbed an effort onto the roof of the net before flashing a shot across the face of goal moments later.

Then in a spell of three minutes shortly before the break both sides lost a player, first Cesar Azpilicueta was shown a straight red for a studs-up challenge on Mile Jedinak, then Damien Delaney was shown a second yellow for a pull on Loic Remy.

Five minutes after the break Fabregas doubled the lead with a fine goal, playing a double one-two with Eden Hazard and Oscar before comfortably slotting home his first Premier League goal since 2010.

Chelsea had chances to extend their lead but Campbell provided a late scare in the 90th minute when he tapped in from close range, the goal though proved to be no more than a dent in an otherwise impressive showing from the Blues.

Mourinho afterwards said he was pleased with his side performance: “From minute one to minute 94 we imposed our game, we had the ball, we were always in control. I think we played very well.

“The only thing we didn’t do well was not to score the third goal to kill the game and give Palace the chance to be in the game. “Obviously when they scored the goal, Palace are dangerous even with four minutes to go.”