Chelsea interim boss GuusHiddink says a Premier League top-four finish will be “difficult” but believes it is still possible following their 3-0 win at Crystal Palace.
The Blues’ four-match run without defeat is their longest this season and moves last year’s champions to 14th in the league, still 13 points adrift of a Champions League spot.
But in beating seventh-placed Palace for their first away win since August, the Blues made a convincing case that the second half of the season might be better for them.
“Everyone knows there’s a lot of quality but sometimes a team which has just become champions has a tendency to become complacent,” said the Dutchman.
“When I started, we said mathematically when we could get to a Champions League position it would be lovely. It’s difficult because this league has become so strong. Everyone can win from everyone, which means it’s very difficult to get there.
“But as long as we play like today we can be happy and then results will come. It’s possible still, but a long way to go.”
