An Outstanding Result!

Will the real Chelsea please stand up? Well, on Sunday afternoon the champions of England did precisely that and reminded all us sceptics what they are capable of when they decide to play quality football. Admittedly, we started sluggishly and the opening goal was somewhat against the run of play, but thereafter the visitors went into cruise control, with an assured performance both in defence and attack. Blimey, when was the last time that one could affix such remarks to a Chelsea Premiership fixture? Of course, we have been here before, on several occasions this painful season. Chelsea currently specialise in one Premiership victory per month, so perhaps they just might buck the trend next week and win two Premiership matches in succession and both in the same month when struggling West Brom come to our manor.

Anyhow, it appears that old man Hiddink may actually have stumbled upon a cosmic new midfield duo, in the unlikely guise of Mikel and Fabregas! Who saw that one coming? Let's hope that they can kick on from here, because dear old Matic has been a liability of late. Anyhow, the big numpty is now warming the bench, and deservedly so, especially if a rejuvenated Mikel keeps up the good work. Will miracles ever cease?!

Meanwhile, credit must go to our three top goalscorers, Costa, Oscar, and Willian for each netting in our surprisingly comfortable stroll. Willian, the show-off that he is, of course fired home the pick of the goals, sandwiched in between efforts from Oscar and an in-form Costa. Even our defence and goalkeeper earned themselves a second successive clean sheet, and each time away from home against top half of the table opposition, so maybe all is not lost after all.

However, it would be just like Chelsea to then go and shoot themselves in the foot when lowly Scunthorpe come to town this Sunday afternoon. My first instinct would have been to rotate the squad and rest many players whilst granting others on the periphery a chance of first-team action. However, maybe it might be a good idea to retain most of the same team in order to create belatedly a bit of momentum to our faltering season.

Crystal Palace 0 CHELSEA 3; half time: 0-1.

CHELSEA goal scorers: Oscar; Willian; Costa

CHELSEA team: Courtois; Azpilicueta; Ivanovic; Zouma; Terry; Mikel; Hazard; Fabregas; Costa; Willian; Oscar. Used substitutes: Pedro; Matic.

CHELSEA LEADING SCORERS:

Willian eight goals

Costa seven goals

Oscar five goals

Pedro three goals

Ramires three goals

Remy three goals

Cahill two goals

Zouma two goals