Chelsea have clinched a first Premier League title since 2010 after beating Crystal Palace 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Eden Hazard’s goal on the stroke of half time was enough to win the Blues their fifth league title – and third under Jose Mourinho, who guided them to glory in 2005 and 2006 during his first spell in charge.
With a 13-point cushion over Manchester City and Arsenal, there was limited anxiety inside a packed Stamford Bridge as the home fans knew that failing to win it on Saturday would simply postpone the party for another day.
Just when it seemed like Palace had done enough to earn parity at the break, Hazard went to ground after being sandwiched by Adrian Mariappa and James McArthur before Kevin Friend pointed to the spot.
There was a hint of nerves from the recently-crowned PFA Player of the Year, who missed his first ever Premier League penalty, having previously scored nine from nine, but the Belgian was on hand to head home the rebound as Mourinho’s side clasped one hand on the trophy.
Chelsea could, and perhaps should, have wrapped it up on 80 minutes when Branislav Ivanovic blazed from over 12 yards, before Didier Drogba also spurned a fine chance moments later.
Neither miss proved enough to derail the Chelsea party, however, as the West Londoners ultimately reached the finish line with three games to spare.
—