Alan Pardew has suggested Cesc Fabregas was the star man for Chelsea in their 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday, saying the midfielder "ran the show" for the champions in the second half of the clash.
Fabregas returned to Guus Hiddink's starting line-up following illness as Nemanja Matic was left on the bench, and the Spaniard put in an improved showing alongside John Obi Mikel in midfield.
Fabregas, who has been criticised by Chelsea fans for his below-par performances this term, delivered the pass to Diego Costa that ended in the Brazilian setting up Oscar for Chelsea's opener while generally enjoying a positive outing.
Such was his output, particularly as the game wore on, that Eagles manager Pardew highlighted the impact of the 28-year-old in running the show for Chelsea in midfield.
"When you've got a very, very good team and their confidence isn't what it was, you've got more of a chance," Pardew told Sky Sports.
Player Ratings: Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
"But when they take the lead, their confidence gets up, their tails get up, Fabregas ran the show [in the] second half, we couldn't get near him."
Palace had several first-half chances to get the opener, mainly through Fraizer Campbell, but the Eagles failed to convert their chances.
Pardew believes his side's lack of attacking options, which were diminished through the injuries of Yannick Bolasie, Connor Wickham, Bakary Sako and Dwight Gayle, was a key factor in his side succumbing to the heavy defeat on Sunday.
"We have belief about us but there's no doubt we're lacking a little bit of quality at the top of the pitch at the moment. That was evident. We got in some good situations but couldn't capitalise," he said.
"It's our third game without a goal, so we're hoping a few of our top players come back in that area.
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"[The first goal] was vital for us as much as them. We had so many key players missing we perhaps needed a little break or a chance to go in. The game could've been very different at 1-0, when Wilf [Wilfried Zaha] has the chance.
"But hats off to Chelsea, they were very, very good. A lot of their star players turned up and delivered."
