Super Eagles’ midfielder, John Obi Mikel, was the unusual recipient of Chelsea Fans’ accolades as the Blues started the New Year by romping to a 3-0 away win at Crystal Palace.

Mikel put in a brilliant man of the match performance in midfield that the fans could not help applaud his contribution to Chelsea’s revival since Guus Hiddink took over at Stamford Bridge.

The Nigerian hardly put a foot wrong as he orchestrated the victory after being preferred to the out-of-form Serbian Nemanja Matic, who was dropped to the bench.

And suddenly the man whom many fans had forgot was even still at Stamford Bridge is being heralded as a potential saviour of their season.

Chelsea fans have taken to twitter to praise their new messiah.

In yesterday’s game, Oscar, a peripheral figure for much of the campaign, opened the scoring after half an hour at Selhurst Park before Willian and Diego Costa wrapped up a comfortable Chelsea win.

Without the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Bakary Sako and the suspended Yohan Cabaye, Palace were a shadow of the side that have entertained, excited and surprised thus far.

Chelsea climb to 14th place on the back of a four-match unbeaten run and, surely, it’s onwards and upwards for the Blues now.

Speaking on his team’s new form, Skipper John Terry said Hiddink has “picked everyone up” since being drafted in at Chelsea following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho.

Results confirm the Chelsea captain’s analysis, with a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace extending the Dutchman’s unbeaten start as the club’s interim manager to three games.

Chelsea is six points away from the relegation zone and 10 points behind fifth place Manchester United.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Terry praised the effect Hiddink has had.

“Guus has been great since he’s come in. It’s unfortunate what’s happened, we feel we’ve let everyone down, but the new man’s come in like he did last time and picked everyone up.

“We are where we are, but we’re slowly climbing the league table. We’ve known as a group we had to get better, we’ve done that slowly but surely.”