The Blues have managed to stem the rot under new boss Guus Hiddink as the club are unbeaten in their last four Premier League outings and thrashed Crystal Palace 3-0 on Sunday.
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Chelsea’s biggest league victory for 12 months, only their third in their last 11 matches, moved them up two spots on 23 points, 13 points behind fourth-placed London rivals Tottenham who shared the points in a tight tussle at Goodison Park.
Before the match Hiddink had said last year’s player of the season was “back in shape” after suffering a hip injury against Leicester and sustaining a knock last Monday’s draw at Manchester United.
“He played very well as he also did in the previous games”, Hiddink said of Mikel, ESPN report.
“Since (Hiddink) came the players seem more relaxed and we are showing that in games”, he told Sky Sports. In fact we went away from our game plan and started forcing things, which can sometimes happen when you’re not scoring goals and you feel like you’re not going to score.
“Everything can change very fast, we just need the results”.
“It was a great game, very entertaining, and I am pleased for the effort, but at the same time my feeling is we dropped two points”, said Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino. In football it’s always like that. The manager’s glowing review of his “elegant” performance at Selhurst Park suggests he will have plenty more to look forward to this season.
“He leaves training to Steve Holland and Eddie (Newton) and he just puts in when he thinks, ‘I need to explain this to the team or that to the team.’ When he explains, he explains it well”. We’re disappointed with the way we played.
“We’ve been a bit lightweight in the way we defended our box, but today was an incredible change”, said Everton manager Roberto Martinez.
“The atmosphere has changed and the players seem more relaxed”.
It was Mikel’s 2nd consecutive 90 minutes in the League since Guus Hiddink took charge of the Blues and the once out-of-favour midfielder is finding his confidence back with the Manager who gave him an FA Cup final full appearance and a title back in 2009. He’s the ideal player in my option to bring balance to the team.
Mikel Obi’s fantastic display impresses coach Hiddink.
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78 of his 82 passes during the game found his teammate as Mikel helped in ball distribution aided by Cesc Fabregas who had his best game for Chelsea this season. “Last year, he was a great addition to the dressing room and our team”.
