Former Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole has praised Cesar Azpilicueta for his solid performance in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, labelling the Spaniard has "unstoppable".
Azpilicueta put in a scintillating showing at Selhurst Park as the 27-year-old made eight clearances, two interceptions and created two chances for the visitors.
The Spaniard also got the assist for Diego Costa's match-winning goal in the 43rd minute to be named as the man of the match.
Such was his performance against Palace, which ensured Chelsea went nine points clear at the top of the table, that Cole hailed Azpilicueta as being "unstoppable" in his current position as part of Antonio Conte's three-man defence.
"The way he trains and gets up against people, for me, he is unstoppable at right back," Cole said on Sky Sports about Azpilicueta, who is often described as being the most competitive member of Chelsea's squad.
"If you have that mentality, he's going to go a long way."
The victory for Chelsea was the club's 11th straight victory in the top-flight, and matched the Blues' similar run in 2009. It also means Chelsea will be top of the Premier League standings for Christmas.
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 didnt 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."
