Chelsea welcome Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk with victory over Palace

Kai Havertz nets the only goal in front of £62 million signing from Shakhtar Donetsk

Chelsea's Kai Havertz celebrates with teammates after scoring in the 1-0 Premier League win against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on January 15, 2023. Getty

Chelsea's new signing, Ukrainian midfielder Mykhailo Mudryk, is introduced to the crowd at half-time. AFP

Kai Havertz after scoring. Getty

Kai Havertz celebrates with Benoit Badiashile. PA

Chelsea manager Graham Potter celebrates after Kai Havertz scores. Reuters

Mykhailo Mudryk watches the game from the stands. PA

Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech battles for the ball with Crystal Palace's Joachim Andersen. AP

Palace's Tyrick Mitchell has his shot saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga. Getty

Blues defender Thiago Silva battles with forward Wilfried Zaha. AFP

Chelsea manager Graham Potter on the sidelines. Reuters

Chelsea claimed just a second Premier League victory since October with a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace on Sunday to ease the pressure on manager Graham Potter.

Kai Havertz headed the winning goal just after the hour as the hosts celebrated the £62 million ($76m) signing of Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who was paraded on the pitch at half-time, with a vital win to cut the gap on the top four to eight points.

It was a poignant day in London as Chelsea marked the death of former player Gianluca Vialli before the match, with a host of the Italian’s former teammates returning to pay their respects.

"Today we are happy for the three points," said Potter. "Overall we played quite well, they had their moments as well but today was about getting the victory. Park it as three valuable points against a team that was pushing as well.

"We try to play well and I thought at times we did. You have to understand the context of the situation we are in so it isn't going to be sensational football all the time. The boys have worked hard."

Palace had the first real chance after 20 minutes when Michael Olise allowed the ball to drop over his shoulder and drilled an effort towards Kepa Arrizabalaga’s top corner from 25 yards, which the Chelsea goalkeeper did brilliantly to tip behind at full stretch.

But it was the hosts who had the best chance of the first half in the 33rd minute when Havertz rose unmarked to meet Hakim Ziyech’s whipped cross, with the forward only able to land his header on to the roof of Vicente Guaita’s goal from six yards.

Just before half-time, Conor Gallagher broke away down Palace’s right and fired a low ball across goal which Lewis Hall was unable to angle home with a first-time effort at the back post, before Ziyech saw a fierce drive from the edge of the area tipped over by Guaita as Chelsea finished the half strongly.

The hosts’ confidence grew into the second half and Havertz again went close when he latched on to Gallagher’s through ball down the left, but his low drive found the gloves of the Palace goalkeeper who held on well.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was sent on by Potter on the hour having recovered from a back injury – the first of the manager’s long list of absentees to make a return – and within a minute Chelsea had the lead.

Ziyech collected the ball near the left touchline and as his whipped cross evaded Palace’s defence, there was Havertz climbing highest to plant his header past Guaita from six yards.

Havertz should have put the game beyond Palace when he darted behind the defence to meet Mason Mount’s driven cross, but this time his direction was lacking as a wonderful chance to seal the win went begging.

And Chelsea were almost made to pay minutes later when Cheick Doucoure unleashed a fierce drive from 30 yards which required a fine stop from Arrizabalaga to preserve his side’s lead.

But the hosts held on to bring respite to Potter and, with Mudryk now on the books, breathe life back into their season.

The Ukraine international has signed an eight-and-a-half-year deal, with the Blues' fee possibly rising to £88m.

“I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea,” Mudryk told the club’s website.

“This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career. I’m excited to meet my new teammates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff."

Mudryk becomes the 14th first-team signing since Todd Boehly bought the club last year, with total spending for his short reign now totalling more than £350m.