Sunday 3 January 2016 17:03, UK
John Terry believes Chelsea have begun to recapture their title-winning form of last season after an empathic away win at Crystal Palace.
Goals from Oscar, Willian and Diego Costa sealed three valuable points for the Blues at Selhurst Park, live on Super Sunday, moving them six points clear of the relegation places and to within 10 points of fifth-placed Manchester United.
Terry told Sky Sports: "That was the Chelsea of last year. The football was first-class in tough conditions; windy, rainy.
"New year, new start. We need to keep winning games because we've been drawing too many of late. But three points today feels good.
"We've known as a group we've had to get there and slowly we have. We hope we're there now. Overall I thought, as well as the goals, it was different class."
Chelsea's sixth win of the season was Guus Hiddink's first since he succeeded Jose Mourinho last month and Terry praised the impact their interim boss has made.
Terry said: "It's unfortunate what's happened. We feel like we've let everyone down. But he's been great since he came in.
"Like he did last time he's picked everyone up and we've gone again, and that's always been there.
"It's just unfortunate it wasn't earlier in the season. But we are where we are, and slowly climbing this league table."
John Obi Mikel produced an excellent display in midfield and the Nigerian also praised Hiddink's influence.
"Guus has come in, picked things up and we've had to go again," Mikel told Sky Sports.
"Since he came in we have worked very hard in training. The atmosphere has stilled a bit, and the players have been more relaxed. We played very, very well today."
