‘A lot of good balls’: Kai Havertz thought the crosses from his Chelsea teammate were brilliant today vs Palace

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Kai Havertz credited Chelsea teammate Hakim Ziyech after the pair’s link up for the winning effort against Crystal Palace.

Speaking to the media after the London derby, Havertz acknowledged the part the Morocco international played in the decisive moment earlier today.

Ziyech enjoyed a rare enjoyable afternoon in a blue jersey at Stamford Bridge.

He started just his third Premier League fixture all season, with the latest easily the best of the bunch.

His statistics certainly reflected the personal improvement he went through during the World Cup.

According to WhoScored.com, Ziyech had the fourth highest number of touches for Chelsea (85), completed the most dribbles (four), put in the most accurate crosses (four) and made two key passes.

But the contribution that mattered the most was the one for Havertz’s crucial goal.

Kai Havertz comes up with the goods against Crystal Palace

It was Ziyech’s sweet out-swinging cross that found the head of the German international, who directed the shot past Palace goalkeeper Vincente Guaita.

“I think I was in a good spot. Hakim gave me a lot of good balls,” said the goal scorer in his post-match interview.

That was only Havertz’s sixth of the season, and just his second in the Premier League since November.

Graham Potter has often relied on the 23-year-old as the main striker in the absence of available options, a position he’s often struggled in.

At home to Palace, however, he provided evidence that it’s an area he might actually be able to cover.

“I play in the number nine position and I take the responsibility to score more goals, we as a team need to score more goals. I will do my best to help the team.”