Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THANK YOU TERRY MUCH
Champs tribute to skipper JT.. now Blues can look to future
IN the end, the perfect day.
Bathed in sunshine, tickertape and afforded a guard of honour, John Terry received the emotional send-off his trophyladen service for Chelsea over two decades had earned. Then, the dawn of a new era under Antonio Conte. Blues fans were losing a legend but gaining a serial winner who has left the Premier League trailing in his wake. Soaked in Champagne, Conte lifted his first title since being tasked by the board last summer with restoring the club’s glory days. A move through the gears saw off Sunderland and made the Blues the first English team to record 30 wins in a Premier League season. Thibaut Courtois (right) clinched the Golden Gloves for the most clean sheets with 16 shut-outs. Blur’s Parklife provided the soundtrack as supporters partied in the stands, while the players, flanked by their wives and children, passed the Premier League trophy around. Then, Terry was handed the microphone. He and Chelsea had been vilified for the substitution in the 26th minute (the number of his shirt) which had allowed Stamford Bridge to mark the end of his 22 years as a Blues player with their goodbyes. Why though? Terry is Mr Chelsea. He has an affinity with the club’s fans like no other player. He has put his body on the line to earn 15 major trophies, including five titles, the Champions League and Europa League. He could lift a sixth FA Cup later this month. This game was a dead rubber. Terry had agreed his exit with Conte. David Moyes had agreed for his Sunderland players to kick the ball into touch in order to form a guard of honour. Where was the problem? Terry struggled to hold it together as he addressed the faithful. He fought back tears as he spoke of one of the most difficult days of his life. He paid tribute to owner Roman Abramovich, who beamed a smile, waved and clapped maniacally as the fans joined in. The tears welled up again as Terry thanked his wife and kids, then the supporters for “picking me up when I was down”. Rival fans and social media may have tut-tutted, but this was Chelsea’s party. They were allowed to cry if they wanted to. Earlier the goals had flowed
with Sunderland taking a surprise third-minute lead. Javier Manquillo smashed in the opener after Seb Larsson’s free-kick had been deflected to the right side of the box. Willian drove an effort in from the right to equalise five minutes later. Eden Hazard smashed in a peach just after the hour, before Pedro came off the bench to score with 13 minutes left. The Spaniard went on to make two more for fellow sub Michy Batshuayi at the death – all part of a perfect day.