Alan Pardew said his injury-struck side "couldn't get going" as they were easily beaten by a revitalised Chelsea on a soggy afternoon in south London.

The Blues ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, with the New Year seemingly having breathed new life into Guus Hiddink's side.

For Palace, who started the day 11 points above Chelsea, it was a disappointing 90 minutes.

The Eagles would have had high hopes of completing a league double over their London rivals, after a superb 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season.

However with a number of key players out, including the suspended Yohan Cabaye and injured Yannick Bolasie, and following on from two successive goalless draws, the task proved too great.

Pardew said after the game: "We needed the first goal after not scoring for a couple of games and having so many injuries at the top of the pitch. We didn't get that.

"Chelsea weathered a little bit of a storm, I thought we started well, then they got the goal and you saw their spirit lift and ours kind of diminish, and there was the story of the game really.

"They stepped on from there and we couldn't get ourselves going. 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.

"3-0 today is an unlikely scoreline for us when you look at our record this season. We've been tight in every game, we've been involved in every game right up to the last moments but not today, it was gone."

Chelsea were well worth the 3-0 scoreline - with a beautifully crafted opener from Oscar, a stunning 25-yard strike from Willian and a Diego Costa tap-in contributing to a comfortable victory.

It could have been more but for some brave Palace defending, however the Eagles will rue missing two excellent chances in seconds leading up to the Blues' first two goals.

Fraizer Campbell could only loft the ball over the bar when he connected with a whipped cross by Jason Puncheon, while Wilfried Zaha shot tamely at Courtois when well placed in the Chelsea box.

A bit more fire power up front and it may have been a different story, but Pardew said there is light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to key players returning.

He said: "You want to have your full strength side at all times, but you want that bench strong as well so you bring on players who are fully up to speed.

"Fortunately for us going to Southampton, Sako will be up and ready to play, Cabaye will be back, I think Connor (Wickham) is not too far away - he might even be able to play at Villa. 

"So those players are going to be massive for us going forward, and Gayley's not that far away as well - no one has really talked about him but his presence would have worried Chelsea today.

"But Chelsea deserved to win, make no mistake."