It was a welcome return for Diego Costa to the Chelsea side, as he helped himself to a goal and man of the match performance in their 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Promising start for Palace
Palace initially began the game well, and could have taken the lead twice in the opening stages. James Ward whipped in an excellent cross to the near post and Frazer Campbell, only to see John Terry take the ball past the post. Wilfred Zaha also went close early on as his 20 yard drive zipped narrowly wide.
Chelsea were struggling and their injury woes could have been much greater had Cesar Azpilicueta not bounced back up quickly after getting kicked in the face. Thing would take a turn for the worse when Eden Hazard limped off with a suspected groin problem. Pedro was his replacement and livened things up straight away.
Chelsea take their chance
Despite the Spaniards' influence, it was Palace who had the best chance of the opening half hour. An pin-point pass from Jason Puncheon was missed both the out-stretched Scott Dann and Campbell, as the Chelsea defence breathed a sigh of relief.
It was a physical game that lacked any real technical brilliance, but the first moment of magic produced the breakthrough. John Obi Mikel did well to bring the ball under control in midfield, before slipping it through to Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard slipped through fellow his countryman, Diego Costa, who waited before unselfishly cut back to Oscar and he slammed into an open goal. Chelsea could have added a second before the break, but for Wayne Hennessey to make a strong save from Azpilicueta's half-volley.
The Blues take control with quick fire double
Palace didn't let the deficit effect their game too badly, and Zaha continued to case problems for the Chelsea defence. He should have done better on two occasions, as the Eagles failed to take advantage of two possible counter-attacks. Hennessey was also called into action again, claiming a difficult Pedro cross.
That was as good as it got for the hosts, however. Chelsea struck a second right on the hour mark, and it was an absolute thunderbolt. Willian started the move, moving the ball inside to Fabregas before playing it into Oscar. The Brazilian managed to flick the ball into Willian's path, before he unleashed a screaming drive that rocketed past Hennessey into the top corner.
A well-deserved win
The visiting fans were in dreamland, and it would get even better six minutes later as Diego Costa got a deserved goal of his own. Willian was involved again, beating James McArthur on the edge of the area before seeing his shot saved. It wasn't pushed wide of the goal, and that allowed Costa to pounce and lift the ball past the defence to seal the win.
After that, the tempo went out of the game. Palace had accepted their fate and Chelsea were controlling the match right to the final whistle, which sounded to give Hiddink his first win in his second spell. The Blues are now up to 14th are keeping alive any feint hopes of earning a European space.