Eden Hazard scored the only goal as Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at a festive, sun-soaked Stamford Bridge on Sunday to claim their first Premier League title since 2010.
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The Belgian headed in after Julian Speroni had parried his self-won penalty late in the first half to register his 19th goal of the season and carry Jose Mourinho’s side over the line with three games to spare.
Chelsea moved 16 points clear of outgoing champions Manchester City, who visit Tottenham Hotspur later on Sunday, and Arsenal, who travel to Hull City on Monday, meaning they can no longer be caught.
The title success, the club’s fifth in total, follows Chelsea’s triumph over Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final and sets the seal on a campaign they have dominated from start to finish.
The Table Never Lies. Chelsea worthy Champions. Up to the others now to put them under a sustained and skilful challenge from August.
— Mark Pougatch (@markpougatch) May 3, 2015
The title-clinching win was characteristic of Chelsea’s gritty recent displays and it gave Mourinho the first league crown of his second stint at the club, as well as the eighth of his managerial career.
The Portuguese sent his side out with a succinct message in the match-day programme — “Three more points to be champions. Let’s do it together.” — but it took the hosts a while to get going.
With Didier Drogba dropping deep up front, Chelsea struggled to get in behind the visitors, who posed a threat on the break through the quicksilver dribbling of left-winger Wilfried Zaha.
#Chelsea wins #PremierLeague 5th time in history! It’s not easy to dominate in England from the beginning until the end. #Mourinho is back!
— Leonardo (@leo_de_araujo) May 3, 2015
When Chelsea did began to create chances, they found Palace goalkeeper Speroni in jittery form.
The Argentine was obliged to save at his near post from Nemanja Matic after failing to claim a Cesc Fabregas free-kick, while another set-piece saw him unconvincingly fumble away a shot from Drogba.
It required a trademark, full-bodied block from John Terry, meanwhile, to prevent Jason Puncheon giving Palace the lead, the ball flicking away off the Chelsea captain’s arm.
Top of the league, #alltheway to being Champions. https://t.co/RiLEi8yBPv
— CHAMPIONS! (@ChelseaFC) May 3, 2015
But on the cusp of half-time, Hazard, as he has done so often this season, supplied the breakthrough.
Despite minimal contact, James McArthur was adjudged to have impeded the Belgium forward in the penalty area as he burst onto Willian’s back-heel.
Hazard took the penalty himself and although Speroni blocked his initial shot — the first time he has failed to score from the spot in 10 attempts in the Premier League — he followed in to head home.
Chelsea’s fans spent part of the second half addressing odes to their club’s former stars, but Thibaut Courtois had to save decisively from Zaha before the champagne could be uncorked.
They hate the way you’re champions! #therewillbehaters pic.twitter.com/tDdblKRLwA
— adidas UK (@adidasUK) May 3, 2015
Palace have now lost three games in succession, but with survival long since secure, even their fans left the Bridge with smiles on their faces.
Chelsea captain John Terry said his side had ended five years of hurt after they secured the Premier League title with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
“This is what I live for. It’s been five years since we’ve won it,” Terry told Sky Sports in an on-pitch interview at a jubilant Stamford Bridge.
“The first one (in 2005) was special and when you go four or five years without it, it hurts. So I’ll really enjoy it today.”
Massive cuntgratulations to Chelsea. Since it was about a title race, John Terry probably thinks they’re league supremacists, not champions
— MIKILL PANE (@MikillPane) May 3, 2015
Chelsea prevailed when Eden Hazard, after seeing his penalty saved by Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni, followed up to head in on the stroke of half-time.
Victory enabled Jose Mourinho’s side to establish an unassailable, 16-point, lead at the top of the table and claim a first English crown since 2010.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” added Terry, who has led Chelsea to four of their five English league titles.
“We’ve worked so hard, so to get over the line is great. It was a bit nervous. They (Palace) are a good side and made it difficult.
“Thankfully, Eden got the goal and we won the game.”
Hazard, recently voted player of the year by England’s Professional Footballers’ Association, said: “We deserve to be champions, and everyone at Chelsea is happy today.
You know the words… #alltheway https://t.co/fde05VSCHp
— CHAMPIONS! (@ChelseaFC) May 3, 2015
“The manager (Mourinho) gives me a lot of feelings and I can play my best football on the pitch which is the most important thing,” added Hazard.
“I know the team need me and a player like me. I am here to score, and this season all the players did well.”
Veteran Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, like Mourinho in his second spell at Stamford Bridge, said: “This one is sweet. Chelsea will always be my number one club.
“It’s my third time to win it in front of the fans and it’s amazing.”
One more for the Chelsea fans. pic.twitter.com/0K89B9raMI
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 3, 2015
Meanwhile Terry also spared a thought for his former England defensive partner Rio Ferdinand, whose wife, Rebecca Ellison, died of breast cancer at the age of 34 on Friday.
“On behalf of myself and everyone at Chelsea, we send our condolences to Rio Ferdinand and his family,” said Terry, who was banned for four games for racially abusing Ferdinand’s brother, Anton, in 2012.
