Chelsea can still finish in top four, says Hiddink

“We’re trying to get them into good positions in the box so that their high quality has more effect. If he does that he will come back to the levels we are used to – and he is an outstanding player”.

In a remarkable season Chelsea find themselves three points above the relegation zone while Palace occupy fifth place, an example of a wider trend in which smaller clubs are upsetting the established order.

But the upbeat Hiddink has quickly won over his players, his presence helping revive their appetite for the game and convince them to raise their work rate.

He said: “Maybe “success” is a big word after not playing well until the last three or four games. I just want to better myself and to go up nine leagues is a big step so hopefully the team and everyone around the club can help me improve”. If we beat West Brom and Everton we could be maybe eighth or ninth in a few weeks. We need to move on and I need to move on fast.

Thibaut Courtois says Chelsea would be boosted by the return of Dider Drogba in a coaching role.

Oscar, Willian and Diego Costa scored for Chelsea, which is out of realistic title contention following a dismal start to its defense but could still challenge for a Champions League spot on the evidence of its performance at Selhurst Park. It’s something psychological. Sometimes it changes with little changes. “That is an indication he can get back to the performance levels we are used to”, Hiddink said. In football it’s always like that.

“But they have to know when things aren’t going as wished that we have to look for causes, and that’s why we started working”.

Hiddink, who has the experience national sides of the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea and Turkey, continued: “For me it is not a team of one goalie and 10 outfield players”.

“Of course with a new manager some things change”, said Courtois.

“The dynamic of the players towards games changed”. Just on the ball, not good enough, off the ball a couple of times they ran off me and got chances.

While a stunning strike from Willian from about 20 meters out was the pick of Chelsea’s goals and effectively killed off Palace, it was the significant contribution of midfielder John Obi Mikel that caught Hiddink’s eye.

Palace will also be missing Patrick Bamford, the young Chelsea forward who earlier this week called a halt to what he described a “terrible” loan spell with Pardew’s team.

“The training is different”, added Courtois. When he explains he explains it well.