Chelsea injury crisis deepens with Willian and Giroud hurt in win over Crystal Palace
The French striker was replaced by Alvaro Morata in the 75th minute while the Brazilian forward was replaced by Emerson soon after
CHELSEA may be forced to dip into the market in January for a striker both Olivier Giroud and Willian were hurt in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
32-year-old Giroud had to be replaced by Alvaro Morata in the 75th minute after suffering what looked to be a nasty ankle injury.
After firing a shot into the roof of the net - with the strike ruled out for offside - he was caught by Jason Tomkins, leaving him writhing in agony.
The medical team quickly treated the World Cup winner, where he was subsequently taken off for Spanish forward Morata.
Willian was substituted soon after, being replaced by Emerson.
It did not initially appear that the Brazilian had a problem, but he was spotted with an ice-pack bandaged to his calf as he walked off the field.
Chelsea are currently in the midst of a crisis up top, with Pedro and Callum Hudson-Odoi both sidelined with hamstring injuries.
While the England youth international could soon be leaving Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis with Bayern Munich bidding £20million for the 18-year-old.
Maurizio Sarri has even started Eden Hazard as a false number nine during recent weeks, with both Giroud and Morata flattering to deceive.
Giroud had two goals ruled out for offside against the Eagles at Selhurst Park, with his first effort being a spectacular half volley into the far corner.
Thankfully, the disallowed goals didn't come back to haunt the Blues, after they scraped a 1-0 win thanks to N'Golo Kante's close range strike.
Their win lifted them five points clear off fifth-placed Arsenal, and two points behind London rivals Tottenham.