Thibaut Courtois believes Chelsea can still deem this season a positive one if they secure a place in Europe and win a trophy.

Courtois also admitted the Blues’ mentality has changed under new manager Guus Hiddink, who is now unbeaten in three games after Sunday’s 3-0 win at Crystal Palace.

The victory leaves Hiddink’s men nine points off West Ham in sixth and 13 adrift of Tottenham in fourth but the performance suggested they may yet be capable of a late surge towards the European spots.

– Premier League: January transfer window watch
– Serie A: January transfer window watch
– Bundesliga: January transfer window watch
– Ligue 1: January transfer window watch
– La Liga: January transfer window watch

Chelsea host Scunthorpe in the FA Cup third round on Sunday, before league games at home to West Brom and Everton, and Courtois insists all is not lost.

“Obviously if you win the FA Cup or the Champions League maybe it will still be a positive [season],” Courtois said.

“Success is a big word if you play until now not very well except the last three or four games.

“But still with the FA Cup or maybe the Champions League it could be a positive season if we end up in the top four or top six.

“We have to go step by step. Some teams are close together. If we beat West Brom and Everton we could be maybe eighth or ninth in a few weeks.

“Everything can change very fast, we just need the results.”

Oscar, Willian and Diego Costa were all on the scoresheet at Selhurst Park for Hiddink’s first win since being appointed as Jose Mourinho’s successor just over two weeks ago.

Costa and Oscar, both struggling under Mourinho, now have five goals between them since the Portugese left while Cesc Fabregas, another to lose form earlier this season, was also much-improved against Palace.

“It’s something psychological and sometimes it changes with little changes. Maybe we needed a little change to pick up our level,” Courtois said.

“In football it’s always like that. When results are not good the first thing they look at is the manager. But I don’t think it is only the manager, the players have to take responsibility as well.”