Former Chelsea fullback Ashley Cole hailed victory at Crystal Palace as a "championship performance".

Cole described Chelsea's hardfought victory against a Palace side hovering above the relegation zone as a title-winning showing, and insisted his former club were fully deserving of the three points.

"It was a Championship performance," Cole said.

"They didn't score the goals that we know Chelsea for this season but it was a great defensive performance and, at the end, it was a deserved result."