Match Summary
Chelsea clinched their first Premier League title in five years with a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace in front of a jubilant home crowd.
The Blues, who needed just three more points to secure the title, bagged the win thanks to Hazard, which means the trophy is guaranteed with three games still left to play.
It rounds off an excellent Chelsea campaign, in which they have always been top right from the very off, having lost only two games all season.
And with it 10 years to the day this week since Mourinho clinched his first Premier League title with Chelsea, how sweet the champagne will taste tonight, recording his and Chelsea’s third Premier League crown.
If people thought Crystal Palace would be a walk-over and hand Chelsea the title, they would witness another game.
Crystal Palace, through Zaha down Chelsea’s right, made life difficult, and though there was no real test of Courtois, much more of the ball was seen in Chelsea’s penalty area than Crystal Palace’s.
Chelsea’s most notable chances often came from free-kicks. Matic nearly was on the receiving end of a Fabregas lob after crafty work by Palace’s wall, whilst Drogba’s free-kick was nearly spilled by Speroni into the feet of John Terry.
A rugged full-throttled affair saw ugly challenges and four yellow cards awarded in the first half, but it was Chelsea who would see out the half with the break-through.
Hazard slalomed through two Palace defenders and, stuck sandwiched in between them, Kevin Friend gave Hazard the benefit of the doubt with the spot-kick.
Hazard was typically calm in his approach but Speroni guessed the right way. To his relief, Hazard was first to react to head the ball home.
Mikel came on for Cuadrado in the second half as a more robust approach was needed.
Chelsea pressed for the second goal, with Mikel himself usually presented with a shooting opportunity, but Speroni was able to save.
Willian too was trying to get in the act, whilst Ward did well to block Cahill’s point-blank effort.
Zouma came on as Mourinho was not budging from his safety-first approach, but he will argue strategy comes before emotion and peer pressure.
It was hard work, but any Chelsea fan would expect no different. Chelsea never make it easy. Mourinho never makes it easy. But they usually win, and today it was not just the match, it was the Premier League title.
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Man of the Match
THE WHOLE CHELSEA FAMILY: It has been an excellent Premier League campaign, proven with the fact Chelsea always been at the helm right from Matchday 1. It is a staggering feat and testament to the hard work of the manager and his staff, a testament to the owner and his business rationale, a testament to the players for their hard work, and a testament to the fans who believe in their club. Everyone’s a winner tonight. This is our win. 10/10
Manager Reaction
Mourinho was calm with his emotions: “I come back to work the best I can and give everything I can to be champions which is a consequence of that work and dedication. We’ve done it. I had my family just behind the bench and I could hug and kiss them. I let the players enjoy it on the pitch.”
Pardew was not taking the gloss off Chelsea’s season: “That’s why Mourinho earns the money he does. He wins. He wins trophies and he will win them in any manner he thinks is right for that particular occasion. It will have to be a very good side that tops this team next year and I’m sure Jose will add to his depth as well.”