After thrashing Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park to extend their unbeaten streak to four matches without defeat, Chelsea enter the FA Cup Third Round on Sunday in fine form.
Guus Hiddink's arrival has overseen a reversal of fortunes at Stamford Bridge, with the Dutchman steering the Blues as they picked up more than a third of their Premier League points tally in the previous four games.
And with the boss insisting that the Blues will aim for FA Cup glory ahead of their Stamford Bridge match-up with Scunthorpe, we look at five things revealed in his pre-match press conference.
Diego Costa vs. Oscar
Before Jose Mourinho left the Blues, there seemed to be a visibly fractured squad. When a story emerged of Costa and Oscar squaring up, it seemed the Hiddink still had a big job on his hands.
But the Dutchman has laughed off suggestions of a brawl, insisting that it was a case of making a mountain out of a molehill.
He said: “It’s a shame the photographer was on break yesterday, he could have taken pictures of the two bulls who were chesting a bit. The little bull, Oscar, took a charge from behind. It was overdone. Oscar is not the biggest tackler.
“They stumbled over the ground, stood up as a normal reaction and chested a bit, without a more serious reaction. We came in between but there is no need to say we avoided them hitting.
“We had an intense, very sharp session, it was on the edge. Afterwards, Oscar apologised to the team, and they started laughing.”
Talented Chelsea need to match quality with effort
Since the former Netherlands boss took over, Chelsea have beaten Sunderland and Crystal Palace and drawn against Watford and Manchester United.
There has been a notable improvement in performance from the players since the departure of Mourinho, which has raised further questions over the Portuguese manager's reign this season.
But Hiddink has said that it was only slight tweaks which has helped the reigning Premier League champions re-find their old selves.
He said: “They are focused on what they need to do, not to do more but less to do, and doing what they’re good at.
"On top of that, players like Oscar who are blessed by nature in their talent, they know they need to work hard for the team so that they can excel their performance.
“Maybe in the past they were just relying on their talents, but I don’t want to focus on the past too much.”
Eden Hazard won't return this week
The Belgian winger starred in the Blues' title winning campaign last season, scoring 19 times for Chelsea as they stormed the Premier League.
He has failed to score and has suffered from a string of injuries this time around, with Real Madrid heavily mooted to make a play for Hazard.
But although he picked up an injury against Crystal Palace, the boss suspects that Chelsea will not have to wait long for his return.
He said: “Mid-week he will not make, I think. But we must be careful, the player must not fall again after falling twice.
“This time he must take a little more time, he was fit to play but against Crystal Palace he had an unfortunate slip.”
“We must make sure that he does not repeat his injury after another game.”
FA Cup glory is the target
The Blues interim manager previously tasted silverware in his spell at Stamford Bridge in 2009, lifting the FA Cup to restore some pride to the Blues' season.
He will be hoping to repeat a similar feat this season, beginning with the challenge of Scunthorpe on Sunday.
He said: “Yeah, it means a lot. At that time it was the only silverware that we won, and I won, in this country.
"If you see the impact of the FA Cup, worldwide, it’s a huge tradition. I remember as a young man watching it on this specific Saturday afternoon.”
Player shortage could provide opportunity for youth
The Blues started the season with the formerly prolific Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy hanging in the wings as back up to star striker Costa.
But with Falcao and Remy unavailable, the Blues will be pleased to see the Spain international starting to re-find his form.
And Hiddink has bemoaned the lack of options available to him, but suggested that there could be an opportunity for an academy player to step up.
He said: “I think we have Falcao, Eden Hazard, and Loic Remy injured.
“We have to be careful with our striker. Not having Remy or Falcao is a little bit worrying.
"From the existing squad, I now have more time to see and analyse the potential of the young players. Hopefully there is a surprise.”
