Chelsea’s revival since the departure of Jose Mourinho is well underway after they eased past Crystal Palace by 3-0 at Selhurst Park.
The reigning Premier League champions had claimed only two points from two games – hard-fought draws at home to Watford and at Manchester United –under interim manager, Guus Hiddink, the but the manner of their clinical display in brushing aside Europa League-chasing Palace suggests a sharp climb up the table is in the offing.
A sweet incisive pass from Cesc Fabregas and an intelligent cutback from Diego Costa – both back in the starting line-up after recent absences – gave Oscar the chance to tap home the opener just before the half-hour mark.
In awful wet conditions the Eagles had been the better side up to that point although they missed Yohan Cabaye’s creativity in the final third with John Terry and Kurt Zouma – and Jon Obi Mikel, in for the benched Nemanja Matic – denying Palace many clear sights at goal.
The Nigeria midfielder started his second successive game and was impressive – contributing several interceptions, pin-point passes and shielding his back-line.
Eden Hazard’s miserable season continued as last year’s player of the year was forced off injured before the break for the second time in recent weeks.
The impressive Zouma squandered an opportunity to double the visitors’ lead not long into the second period but his header from Willian’s free-kick was poor and missed the target.
However, the Stamford Bridge outfit did not have to wait long for their second as on 60 minutes, following referee Kevin Friend’s clever decision to allow play to continue after Oscar was hacked down, the ball rolled to Willian who fired home an unstoppable drive from 25 yards.
The game was ended as a contest five minutes later when Willian’s shot from inside the area was weak but Palace keeper Wayne Hennessy could only palm it into the path of the grateful Costa and the striker tapped home from close range.
The margin separating the sides was harsh on Alan Pardew’s men but it demonstrated for all that the outgoing league champions are in no danger of becoming embroiled in a relegation scrap and could even make a late charge for a European place.
Palace remain in seventh place while Chelsea are up to 14th and will being starting to set their sights much higher.
