Interim boss Hiddink tipped John Obi Mikel to spearhead a Chelsea revival, backing the Nigeria midfielder to add much-needed defensive stability to the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Hiddink warned Chelsea stars like Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian that unless they invest in their fair share of the nitty gritty "this league will kill you".
Chelsea swept past Crystal Palace 3-0 at Selhurst Park for Hiddink's first Blues victory thanks to goals from Oscar, Willian and Diego Costa, while Hazard will undergo scans on Monday to reveal the extent of a groin injury.
"We've started working and if the team is not doing well through a long period then you have to look for security, and that's why we emphasised on good, hard work, tactically and a defensive way," said Hiddink.
"I don't like to see the team drop back very far and seek false security
When they get the ball they know to play
"We don't need to add a lot of quality of players: they are blessed by nature with big quality.
"But they have to know when things aren't going as wished that we have to look for causes, and that's why we started working.
"The very talented players, they start working also, to invest in the dirty work and not just the beautiful game they can play, because this league is very demanding.
"And if you think you can do it just on your quality, what's more given by talent than nature, then this league will kill you."
Mikel provided the perfect buffer to Chelsea's back four to allow the likes of Cesc Fabregas and the excellent Willian to dictate the terms of the visitors' victory in south London.
A hapless Hazard trudged off after just 15 minutes with a groin problem, his struggles this season encapsulated by his 2,289-minute goal drought with Chelsea.
While Hiddink was cautious on Hazard's situation and said an MRI scan would be needed on Monday to assess the extent of the damage, Chelsea's caretaker boss was happy to lavish praise on the resurgent Mikel.
"He played very well but also in the previous game," said Hiddink of Mikel.
"He's the ideal player in my option to bring balance to the team.
"If the team is not willing to defend well, or hasn't got the right balance, then you'll concede a lot of goals.
"I think John Obi can be one of the key figures in bringing back that balance.
"On this podium very talented players can explore their qualities.
"He can recover his radar, he reads the game very well, he knows where the strength of the opponent is and knows how to combat that
He has very good sense, he doesn't do it in a brutal way, he's very elegant
"Someone who can defend so smoothly is very beautiful
I don't expect the decisive final pass from him - he can (do that), but he can also let the other players (play)."
Alan Pardew admitted his Palace side still crave the return to full fitness of forwards Bakary Sako, Connor Wickham and Dwight Gayle
"When they got the goal you could see their spirit lift and ours diminish," said Pardew.
"And there you see the story of the game
In fact we went away from our game plan and started forcing things
"So that sometimes is what happens when you're not scoring goals.
"Fortunately I think Sako will be up and ready for Southampton, (Yohan) Cabaye will be back, and hopefully Connor can be ready for Villa.
"Gayley's not far away too
His presence would have worried Chelsea
I don't want to moan about our injuries, that's a fact of any season
"Chelsea deserved to win today."
Source : PA
Source: PA