How Oscar inspired Chelsea to a victory in their last match

Oscar celebrates with Willian (R) after scoring Chelsea’s first goal from a free kick.

Towards the end of last season, Chelsea had become accustomed to dropping points in matches that they were expected to win. After the defeat at Selhurst Park in March, Jose Mourinho noted on a journalist's pad what Chelsea were missing most were "balls". Seven months on and they headed into Saturday's derby without their striker and his dodgy hamstring -- but did anyone really notice?

Under the leadership of a new manager, Palace approached Chelsea as they had the last time out - with a great deal of physicality. Not having to contend with Chelsea's Sprazilian only added to Palace's confidence as they looked to strike early, causing a good deal of disturbance in front of Thibaut Courtois early on. However, the threat on Courtois’ goal was short lived.

It was only minutes into the game when Palace's physical approach started to become their undoing as Damien Delaney fouled Willian leading to Chelsea's opening goal. As Delaney continued to boldly introduce himself to many of Chelsea's players it was apparent that he'd not see out the game let alone the half. Delaney was sent off moments after Azpilicueta saw red for a needless and nasty challenge on Jedinak, quickly evening out the numerical advantage they temporarily held.

With just 18 outfield players left on the field, even more space opened up for Chelsea to impose their game upon Crystal Palace. This was a different Chelsea to the one that had come to Selhurst Park in March. In his post-match press conference, Mourinho said “Today, from minute one to minute 94 we imposed our game, we were always in control. I think we played very, very well.”

Chelsea controlled the possession (72%) and looked like a cat toying with a mouse before it decides it's ready to go in for the kill. The play between Oscar, Hazard and Fàbregas for Chelsea's second of the afternoon was so fluid that Mourinho described the goal as a "scandal". The Chelsea juggernaut continues to roll on this season with much "bigger balls".

Although there were a number of standout performances, including that of the overlooked Serbian wall that is Nemanja Matic. Not only does he protect the back four, allowing the rest of the midfield to press high, but he's constantly looking to keep pressing the play forward himself. All the while, on Saturday it was Oscar who gave the best performance.

When Mourinho first arrived on the scene last year he looked to set up his team based around the inherent skills and potential that Oscar seemed to hold. But with one eye constantly on Brazil 2014 those performances never quite developed as Mourinho had hoped. Saturday's game, however, highlighted the player that Mourinho suspected was in Oscar all along.

Not only was he directly involved in both goals - first with the stunning free-kick and then the assist for Fàbregas' first league goal in blue - but was incisive all over the pitch. If Fàbregas made a run forward with Hazard, Oscar instinctively dropped back to help Matic just ahead of the defence. He made more tackles than any other player on the pitch (5), including the maestro in Premier League tackles Mile Jedinak.

With Mourinho's men coming together as they did against an excellent and physical Palace side, it appears that Diego Costa and his dubious hamstring are a luxury more than a necessity to a very formidable team. Apparently all that was ever needed was "big balls".

Oscar’s freekick against Crystal Palace