Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea: Score and Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match
Chelsea got back to winning ways against Crystal Palace in the Premier League, collecting a well-deserved 3-0 win at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
A first-half goal from Oscar put the champions in charge of the fixture, and further strikes from Willian and Diego Costa wrapped up the needed points.
The Blues produced one of their best displays for a number of months as they dominated Palace for long spells of the match, moving up to 14th in the process.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink made two changes to the side that started against Manchester United, with Nemanja Matic and Pedro making way for Cesc Fabregas and Costa, who were both pivotal in the result.
Eagles manager Alan Pardew decided to make three alterations to his side that started the goalless draw at home to Swansea City, as Damien Delaney, Chung-Yong Lee and Frazier Campbell came into the starting XI to replace Brede Hangeland, Yohan Cabaye and Marouane Chamakh.
The hosts had good chances in the opening moments as Campbell and Wilfried Zaha failed to wrestle the lead, but Chelsea quickly asserted themselves in the match, despite losing Eden Hazard to injury early in the game.
The Blues confirmed the nature of the knock via their official Twitter account:
Hiddink's men took the lead midway through the half when Oscar scored from close range after Fabregas and Costa beautifully linked to scythe open the Palace defence.
Chelsea's midfield and attack began to click as they showed why they were so potent last term, earning them the title under former boss Jose Mourinho. ESPN FC's Miguel Delaney questioned the point in hand:
WhoScored.com shared the vital statistics and ratings of the match at half-time, as the Blues dominated possession, forcing Palace to feed off scraps in the contest:
Chelsea immediately took an iron grip of the match in the second half as Willian struck from range to make it 2-0. The ball spilled from Oscar to his Brazilian compatriot, and the midfielder's fierce shot flew into the top corner of the net.
ESPN FC's Liam Twomey called the action:
Chelsea's resurrection was completed six minutes later as Costa tapped home to claim a deserved goal after a great display. The Spaniard was on hand to turn the ball home as Willian's shot was palmed into his path by Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
Arguably, it was the first time this season Chelsea had shown their very best form on the road, as the team responded to Hiddink's tactics and guidance.
Palace tried their best to work their way back into the match, but the champions produced a swagger not seen during the current campaign.
The Mirror's Ed Malyon had a theory as to why the Eagles were not flying high:
Chelsea looked comfortable in the final minutes of the game, secure without Hazard's influence on proceedings.
The travelling contingent were joyous as they sang for Costa and his team-mates in the last minutes of the match, but the Palace fans remained vocal in support of their team until the end, despite the 3-0 scoreline.
It was a difficult day for Pardew and Palace, as they looked short of ideas against a rejuvenated Chelsea.
Questions will be asked why the Blues' superstars could not produce this kind of performance in recent months, but Hiddink will be ecstatic by what he saw on Sunday.
Costa and Fabregas looked calm and assured as Chelsea retained the ball, allowing others to come into the game and have an impact.
Willian was once again terrific—breaking from the centre of the park—and is in line to be the club's player of the year after a collection of wonderful performances this term.
Post-Match Reaction
Hiddink spoke about the depth of his squad after witnessing his side's stellar display against Palace on Sunday, per the club's official Twitter account:
Palace next feature in the Premier League on Tuesday, Jan. 12 when they face Aston Villa away, and Chelsea welcome West Bromwich Albion on the following night.
