Chelsea have won the Premier League title.
Here we look at the five key games in their title triumph.
Arsenal (A) L 0-3, September 24
When Arsenal took a three-goal half-time lead over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in the fifth game of the season, many wondered if this was the revival of the Gunners and if the Blues’ worries would deepen after their 10th-placed finish last campaign. For Antonio Conte a second successive loss was the catalyst for change – to a 3-4-3 formation and thereafter a 13-match winning run in the league.
Manchester United (H) W 4-0, October 23
Three games after the Arsenal defeat came the visit of Manchester United and Chelsea’s most successful manager, Jose Mourinho. The Blues showed elan in a comprehensive victory as the 20th anniversary of Matthew Harding’s death overshadowed Mourinho’s return. Afterwards the Portuguese boss complained about Conte calling for home supporters to raise their voices with Chelsea four goals ahead.
Manchester City (A) W 3-1, December 3
After impressively beating Everton and Tottenham at home, Chelsea faced a further test of their credentials at Manchester City, where Conte came up against Pep Guardiola. City dominated the first hour but Chelsea rallied brilliantly in victory. The match ended with a bench-clearing melee following a Sergio Aguero tackle on David Luiz. Chelsea were united and winning.
Tottenham (A) L 0-2, January 4
Dele Alli’s double for Tottenham denied Chelsea a record-breaking 14th consecutive Premier League win and saw the Blues miss the chance to open up an eight-point lead. Conte was undaunted by the loss, insisting it was different from those in September to Liverpool and Arsenal and that his players were now a team.
Everton (A) W 3-0, April 30
Chelsea’s lead over Spurs had been cut to four points by losses to Crystal Palace and Manchester United earlier in the month, and many wondered if a further wobble would come at Goodison Park. Everton away appeared, on paper, to be the toughest remaining assignment, but Chelsea scored three times in the final quarter of the game to take a big step towards the title.
Provided by Press Association Sport
