Blues reign supreme
WAIT OVER: CHELSEA STORM PALACE TO SECURE FIRST TITLE SINCE 2010
Mourinho claims third league title at Stamford Bridge and the eighth of his managerial career.
Eden Hazard scored the only goal as Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 1- 0 at a festive, sun-soaked Stamford Bridge yesterday to claim their first Premier League title since 2010.
The Belgian headed in after Julian Speroni had parried his selfwon penalty late in the first half to register his 19th goal of the season and carry Jose Mourinho’s side over the line with three games to spare.
Chelsea moved 13 points clear of outgoing champions Manchester City, who beat Tottenham Hotspur 1- 0 at White Hart Lane later yesterday, and 16 ahead of third place Arsenal, who travel to Hull City today.
“Every title is a consequence of hard work and a reason to be happy and proud,” said Mourinho, who has now won three league titles with Chelsea after previous successes in 2005 and 2006 during his fi rst stint at the club.
“I can’t evaluate and say which one was more important. This was my last title and I try to get another one.
“The group starts with the League Cup and the Premier League, but we know in future it’s very difficult and other teams will come even stronger. England’s not the best country to be a force and dominate football.”
The title success, the club’s fi fth in total, follows Chelsea’s triumph over Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final and sets the seal on a campaign they have dominated from start to finish.
The title-clinching win was characteristic of Chelsea’s gritty recent displays and it gave Mourinho the eighth league crown of his managerial career.
“It’s been five years since we’ve won it,” captain John Terry, who has led Chelsea to four of their five league titles, told Sky Sports during a post-match interview.
“The first one (in 2005) was special and when you go four or five years without it, it hurts. So I’ll really enjoy it today.”
In yesterday’s other game, Argentina striker Sergio Aguero found the back of the net just before the half hour mark to seal a 1- 0 win against Spurs.