Crystal Palace 0-3 Chelsea – Premier League – 3rd December 2015
Channeling their title-winning selves, Chelsea produced a superb display to start the new year with a welcome victory and send Crystal Palace to a 3-0 home defeat.
Diego Costa, so often well off the pace this season, was back to his potent best at Selhurst Park, setting up Oscar to score the opener on 29 minutes. The Spanish international would go on to net the third and final goal of the game, but only after Willian had scored courtesy of another superb long-range effort.
Another disappointment this season, Cesc Fabregas, was also back on song, dictating the game from central midfield. As for the Eagles, they struggled throughout without the suspended Yohan Cabaye and injured duo Yannick Bolaise and Connor Wickham. However, if Wilfried Zaha had made the most of a great chance with the score 0-0, then maybe things would have gone differently for the hosts.
Guus Hiddink’s recharged Blues go 14th, six points clear of the relegation zone although seeing Eden Hazard limp off after just 16 minutes will no doubt concern the Dutchman. As for Alan Pardew’s Palace, the now find themselves seventh, five points off the top four.
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