Crystal Palace's Zeki Fryers and Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi hug after the game – Reuters

REUTERS: Leaders Chelsea tightened their stranglehold on the Premier League after a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace earned them an 11th consecutive victory and sent them nine points clear on Saturday.

Yet another Diego Costa goal meant Antonio Conte’s unstoppable side remained firmly on course for the title despite the fog enveloping Selhurst Park in the day’s early kickoff.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was again at his irrespressible best, scoring both of resurgent Manchester United’s goals in a 2-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion.

Champions Leicester City had striker Jamie Vardy sent off as they trailed 2-0 at Stoke City before battling back to draw 2-2, Daniel Amartey scoring a late equaliser.

Sunderland finally began to see some daylight at the bottom as a 1-0 home win over Watford edged them off the foot of the table, ahead of Swansea City and Hull City who both lost.

Chelsea have triumphed in 14 of their opening 17 league matches under Conte, a feat never achieved before by a manager new to England’s top flight. They have also won 11 in a row in a single season for the first time as the Italian continues to try and eclipse the kind of domination Jose Mourinho enjoyed in his first stint at Stamford Bridge from 2004-07.

Chelsea have 43 points, nine clear of Liverpool, who visit neighbours Everton on Monday, and Arsenal, who travel to fourth-placed Manchester City (33 points) on Sunday.

“If I don’t say I am pleased for this record I am dishonest. I am not a person who loves stats but it’s my first season in England and to win 14 games out of 17 is fantastic,” former Juventus and Italy Coach Conte told a news conference.

“I like to see the present but I look more to see the future and I want the future to be special for us. The only way for this is to work.

“We have room to improve. We are working on our principles. This season I’ve tried to play with different formations. Now we’ve found a good balance offensively and defensively.” Palace could find no chink in Chelsea’s armour even though the visitors were not particularly threatening in the first half when they rarely threatened Wayne Hennessey’s goal.

Conte’s men have become ruthlessly efficient though.

Costa only needed one chance to score, climbing to head Cesar Azpilicueta’s inviting cross into the corner of the net two minutes before the interval.

It proved sufficient as Palace made little impact after the break despite plenty of huff and puff.

“I have to say that was as good a defensive display as you’ll see,” Palace Manager Alan Pardew said. “We couldn’t find a way through, even on set plays which we’re strong at.”

In-form Ibrahimovic at the double as United soar

REUTERS: Zlatan Ibrahimovic was again at his irrepressible best with another double earning Jose Mourinho’s increasingly confident Manchester United a 2-0 win at West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.

The 35-year-old Swede told the TV cameras beforehand that he felt as sprightly as a 20-year-old kid before going out and silencing the Hawthorns within five minutes when nodding home Jesse Lingard’s superb half-volleyed cross.

Wayne Rooney was denied the chance to equal Bobby Charlton’s all-time United record of 249 goals when his 23rd-minute shot was tipped brilliantly on to the bar by Ben Foster.

After Lingard volleyed another chance high and wide just before halftime, Ibrahimovic sealed the win in the 56th minute, skipping between two defenders before firing a deflected shot into the corner for his 16th goal of the season in all competitions.

It was the first time since the start of the season that sixth-placed United had strung together four wins in a row and it thrust them on to the same points total as Tottenham Hotspur who are fifth.