Chelsea won the Premier league for the first time in five years on Sunday, securing the title with three games to spare with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. The title-winning goal came from Eden Hazard, a week after the Belgium winger’s dynamic, individual displays were honored by his fellow professionals with the player of the year award.
Although Hazard’s uncharacteristically weak penalty kick was saved by Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni at the end of the first half, the Belgian headed in the rebound. The scrappy, slender win encapsulated Chelsea’s recent performances but it was enough to establish an insurmountable lead and dethrone Manchester City, having spent the entire season at the summit.
“When you go five years without winning it ... it hurts so we’re going to enjoy it,” Chelsea captain John Terry said as the blue and white streamers descended on the Stamford Bridge field. Chelsea will have to wait until the final day of the season here against Sunderland before the trophy can be collected but they can already start celebrating the domestic double.
The team also won the league Cup in March and Jose Mourinho’s third Premier league title success confirms that the Portuguese coach is back at the pinnacle of management in England. “This is unbelievable, we’ve worked so hard this year to get over the line,” Terry said. “Today was a tough match, a little bit nervous, but we got over the line and we are champions.”
It is only Chelsea’s fifth English title in the 110-year history of the club, whose fortunes were transformed following the 2003 takeover by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Chelsea had only won the topflight once in its first century — in 1955 — when Mourinho delivered the title in 2005. Mourinho defended the title in 2006 before going off to win titles for Inter Milan and Real Madrid before being welcomed back to Stamford Bridge in 2013.
Man City win 1-0
Manchester City responded to officially losing its Premier league title by beating Tottenham 1-0 through Sergio Aguero’s goal to cement second place on Sunday. The Argentina striker took his league-high tally to 22 goals by finishing off a classic counterattack in the 29th, running onto David Silva’s pass and sending a rising shot inside the near post. Two wins from its last three matches will secure City an automatic berth in Europe’s top competition.