Chelsea are English Champions for fifth time

Blackleaf

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 9, 2004
48,340
1,650
113
London giants Chelsea are the English Champions for the fifth time after they won their fourth Premier League title today, their first since 2010.

The title was clinched with three games to spare thanks to a 1-0 win against fellow London side Crystal Palace, with a goal from PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard, who nodded in the rebound of a poor penalty he had seen saved, just before half-time.

Chelsea had to dig in and defend but Jose Mourinho's team do this so well. They produced another clean sheet and the best team in the land are the champions.

Out came the streamers and that song by Queen. Champagne corks popped and the bubbly was sprayed, scarves were wrapped around heads and players slid across the turf on their bellies. Messages, photographs and videos started to fly from their social media accounts.

The DJ moved onto 'One Step Beyond', a ska anthem of celebration by Madness at Stamford Bridge and it all began to sink in: a first Premier League title for many of the squad, including Hazard.

Chelsea's previous titles came in 1955 (the old First Division), 2005, 2006 and 2010.


Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace: Blues clinch Premier League title as Eden Hazard heads home after seeing initial penalty saved


Chelsea have won their fourth Premier League title after beating Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday

The Blues took the lead just before half-time as Eden Hazard headed home after missing initial penalty

Julian Speroni saved the Belgium international's spot-kick but was unable to stop the follow-up

By Matt Barlow for the Daily Mail
3 May 2015
Daily Mail




Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace

Hazard 45



By the end of the day, all those in Chelsea blue had what they came for and Roman Abramovich was waving and smiling down from his executive seat.

When you see Abramovich crack his surly Russian visage and display such emotion, you are witnessing a special moment, and here was his fourth Barclays Premier League title in 12 years since buying the club.

It ends a wait of five years and was clinched with three games to spare, thanks to a goal from Eden Hazard, who nodded in the rebound of a poor penalty he had seen saved, just before half-time.

Chelsea had to dig in and defend but Jose Mourinho's team do this so well. They produced another clean sheet and the best team in the land are the champions.

Out came the streamers and that song by Queen. Champagne corks popped and the bubbly was sprayed, scarves were wrapped around heads and players slid across the turf on their bellies. Messages, photographs and videos started to fly from their social media accounts.

The DJ moved onto 'One Step Beyond', a ska anthem of celebration by Madness at Stamford Bridge and it all began to sink in: a first Premier League title for many of the squad, including Hazard.

He was an appropriate match-winner on such a day, although his scruffy goal came with accusations that he dived for the penalty and there were uneasy moments when the coronation party seemed about to fall flat.

Mourinho's touchline activities provided a strange side-show. At times he sulked moodily, clearly dissatisfied with the support of the home crowd for his team, while seeming to court the noisy Palace fans in the Shed End.

The Chelsea manager ignored those in the Matthew Harding Stand when they sang his name and then seemed to react angrily when they sang Frank Lampard's.

'It was not a game to enjoy,' said Mourinho, who has been under added stress since his father, Felix, suffered a brain haemorrhage, last week. He dashed to Portugal by private plane after winning at Leicester, returned to the club and made another flying visit home on Friday.

'I was there with him at the most difficult moment, the moment of surgery,' he added. 'After that, everything is under control. He is getting strong and better and I am much more relaxed.'

On Sunday his wife Matilde was in the crowd. She rarely comes to watch but this was a special occasion and Mourinho went straight to her on the final whistle.

Palace made Chelsea sweat for the points, but these players have been injected with the sort of brutal mentality which is the hallmark of Mourinho's teams.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois, 6.5, Ivanovic, 7, Cahill, 7, Terry, 7.5, Azpilicueta, 7.5, Matic, 7.5, Fabregas, 6.5, Cuadrado, 5 (Mikel 46, 6), Willian, 8 (Zouma 84, 6), Hazard, 6.5 (Filipe Luis 90, 6), Drogba, 6.5

Subs: Cech, Ake, Remy, Loftus-Cheek.

Scorer: Hazard: 45

Booked: Ivanovic, Terry

Jose Mourinho - 8


Crystal Palaxce (4-4-1-1): Speroni, 6, Mariappa, 6.5 (Kelly 60, 6) Dann, 7, Delaney, 7, Ward 7, Puncheon 6.5 (Sanogo 71, 6), McArthur, 7, Ledley 7, Zaha 6.5, Mutch 6.5 (Murray 61, 6.5), Bolasie 6.5

Subs: Hangeland, Hennessey, Jedinak, Lee.

Booked: Mariappa, Dann.

Alan Pardew - 7


Man of the Match: Willian
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)




Attendance at Stamford Bridge: 41, 566


How the Premier League table currently stands, with Chelsea clinching the title with three games remaining
:




Chelsea's five league titles:

1955
2005
2006
2010
2015



Hazard directs the ball into the net with his head after seeing his initial penalty saved by Crystal Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni

Hazard's initial effort was easily saved by Speroni but the Belgium international was quick to pounce to head home the rebound to put the west Londoners 1-0 up against the south Londoners


Hazard goes down under the challenge of Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur and referee Kevin Friend pointed to the spot

Hazard races away to celebrate as Palace players despair having put the Blues ahead in Sunday's vital Premier League encounter

Eden Hazard punches the air and is joined by Nemanja Matic after putting Chelsea ahead against Crystal Palace in the London derby on Sunday


Hazard is hoisted up by team-mate Matic as Chelsea took a huge step to securing the Barclays Premier League title at Stamford Bridge


Crystal Palace saw appeals for a penalty turned down after it appeared Chelsea's John Terry handled Jason Puncheon's shot in the area


Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas rifles a shot at goal as James McArthur attempts to block the ball while Joe Ledley watches on


Goalscorer Hazard and Matic were soon joined by the rest of the Chelsea squad as Cesar Azpilicueta (top) shouts after taking the lead

Speroni lies on the floor having been beaten as Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic collects the ball from the back of the net

Chelsea players celebrate their title success in the Stamford Bridge home dressing room after beating Crystal Palace

Terry (left), Oscar (centre) and Hazard pose for the cameras as the Chelsea trio celebrate on the pitch at full-time




Kurt Zouma and Loic Remy hold a Premier League champions flag (left), while Didier Drogba celebrates Chelsea's title triumph


Chelsea players celebrate at the full-time whistle after winning their fourth Premier League title with victory against Crystal Palace

Roman Abramovich celebrates after witnessing Chelsea's fourth Premier League title triumph since becoming owner in 2003




Terry lets out a roar after the victory (left) and punches the air as the celebrations started at the full-time whistle

 
Last edited: