Chelsea secured their first win under Guus Hiddink with a convincing performance over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Blues defeated the Eagles 3-0 at Selhurst Park to extend their unbeaten run to four matches in the Premier League since the sacking of Jose Mourinho.
Oscar opened the scoring when he slotted home a neat cut-back pass from Diego Costa in the 29th minute before Willian fired home from outside the area on the hour-mark with a sizzling strike.
The victory was rounded out six minutes later when Costa was on-hand to slot home Willian's initial attempt which had been kept out by Wayne Hennessey.
Chelsea's sixth win of the campaign saw them edge up to 14th place on the table as Alan Pardew's Palace lost for the first time in eight outings to fall to seventh.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Crystal Palace: 0
Chelsea: 3 (Oscar 29', Willian 60', Diego Costa 66')
Selhurst Park, London - 24,854
TALKING POINTS
- Chelsea appear to be back in form under Hiddink. Are they capable of pushing into the top half and perhaps even sneaking a European finish?
- No goals in three games from Palace. Is this a worry or just a little blip on the radar?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Palace travel to Southampton for the FA Cup 3rd round on Saturday before taking on Aston Villa in the league next Tuesday.
Chelsea host Scunthorpe United in the cap on Sunday prior to next Wednesday's league clash with West Bromwich Albion.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Great win today, well done boys!!
Grande vitória hoje galera, vamos que vamos!!
@ChelseaFCpic.twitter.com/ykzagCbABp
— Oscar (@oscar8) January 3, 2016Great performance today boys!!! #CFC#premierleaguehttps://t.co/wU3NkYSkf2
— Willian (@willianborges88) January 3, 2016REACTION: Mile Jedinak spoke post-match about importance of the opening goal in the match. https://t.co/hZkfclRXUcpic.twitter.com/zhz0a57uUu
— Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) January 3, 2016
QUOTES CORNER
Palace boss Pardew on conceding the first goal:
"When they got the goal you could see their spirit lift and ours diminish.
"And there you see the story of the game. In fact we went away from our game plan and started forcing things.
"So that sometimes is what happens when you're not scoring goals."
Chelsea's Hiddink on the hard work of his team:
"The very talented players, they start working also, to invest in the dirty work and not just the beautiful game they can play, because this league is very demanding.
"And if you think you can do it just on your quality, what's more given by talent than nature, then this league will kill you."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
20 - Diego Costa's assist for Oscar was his first in his last 20 games in all competitions for Chelsea. Giver.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 3, 20167 - Seven of Willian's eight goals for Chelsea this season in all competitions have come from outside the box. Range.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 3, 20161 - Chelsea registered their first win in their last eight Premier League away games (D3 L4). Resolution
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 3, 2016