LONDON – Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has urged his side to focus on their own game, rather than read too much into Chelsea’s problems, ahead of Sunday’s clash at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues were beaten 2-1 by Fulham on Thursday and are just three points ahead of Palace in the Premier League, having played one game more than the Eagles.

They are mired in mid-table, with a dismal one win from their past eight games in all competitions piling the pressure on manager Graham Potter.

Palace have problems of their own following successive defeats.

Last week, they were thrashed 4-0 by Tottenham in a home league match and were knocked out of the FA Cup after a 2-1 defeat by top-flight rivals Southampton.

“The mood has been challenging, of course, because of the results that we have had,” Vieira said on Friday.

“But I have seen a group who have been working well this week and waiting for the game to perform the best that we can.

“We are looking at the squad that they (Chelsea) have and we are looking at the quality of the players that they have. We are looking at the quality of the manager that they have.”

Potter’s men, who were hit by a spate of injuries, will be eager to stop the slide. Vieira expects them to start the game with a lot of pressure, saying: “We will have to be ready from the first minute to answer.”

The former Arsenal captain added: ”They (Chelsea) may be in a difficult period, because things are going against them, but... we, again, have to perform well, and not think at all about the run of games they are having at the moment.”

Left-back Tyrick Mitchell is back after a three-match suspension, with no other fresh selection issues for Palace.

The same cannot be said of Chelsea, with Denis Zakaria added to a growing list of absentees. The Swiss midfielder was forced to come off early in the second half at Craven Cottage, joining the nine players who had been sidelined.

Potter will also be without new signing Joao Felix, who was sent off on his debut against Fulham.

The Englishman has urged his side to bounce back from the disappointment of the Fulham defeat.

He said: “We have to try to be positive and move forward and take a home game on. It’s another London derby against a team with dangerous players, so we have to be good ourselves and prepare the team.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe could drop midfielder Joelinton for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Fulham after he was arrested for drink-driving.

The Brazilian, who has become a key member of Howe’s high-flying side, was stopped by police in the early hours of Thursday and later charged with driving while above the prescribed limit for alcohol.

He will appear before magistrates later in January, but is available for Sunday’s match.

Asked on Friday if Joelinton would play against Fulham, Howe said he will decide closer to the game in consultation with the player.

He said: ”Ultimately, I have to pick the best team to win the game, that’s my job, but I also have to take into account the situation around that.” REUTERS, AFP