Chelsea secured a first Premier League title in five
years with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Stamford
Bridge.
Jose Mourinho's side needed three points to claim
the trophy with three games to spare and Eden
Hazard headed in the rebound after missing a first-
half penalty.
Mourinho's 21st trophy of his prolific career was the
Capital One Cup win at Wembley in March -- the first
of his second spell at Stamford Bridge -- and now
the Portuguese has a third Premier League title and
Chelsea's fourth in 11 seasons.
The self-proclaimed Special One delivered the first
title 10 years ago -- the 2004-05 win was Chelsea's
first championship in 50 years -- but domestic
league success has eluded the Blues since
Carlo Ancelotti led them to the 2009-10 title.
Chelsea entered Sunday's fixtures 13 points clear of
Manchester City and Arsenal, the only team who
could overhaul them as they have a game in hand.
It was a nervous opening for the champions-elect,
with Palace determined to prolong Chelsea's wait for
the title, roared on by a raucous visiting support
which only served to remind Mourinho of his
unhappiness at the home faithful this term.
Hazard has so often been Chelsea's saviour and
once again provided the spark which led to
Chelsea's penalty, although there was debate about
the extent of the contact.
The Belgian's spot kick was saved by Julian Speroni,
but he headed in the rebound to settle nerves with
his 19th of the season.
Mourinho reaffirmed his "more strategic, less artistic"
approach of recent weeks by sending on John Obi
Mikel at half-time and Kurt Zouma late on.
Some have labelled it "boring," but Chelsea and
Mourinho cared not a jot as the Blues saw out
victory and jubilant celebrations began.
Mourinho declared Chelsea's title challenge over last
season following a defeat at Selhurst Park and he
was taking nothing for granted until the title was
mathematically secure.
The Blues boss recalled Thibaut Courtois in goal,
with Petr Cech dropping to the substitutes' bench,
and was forced into a late change when Ramires fell
ill.
Juan Cuadrado came in against a Palace team
showing four changes following the loss to Hull and
determined to delay Chelsea's coronation.
The pace was frenetic in the opening period, but
there were few moments of quality and precious few
attempts on goal.
Didier Drogba, up front again in the continued
absence of Diego Costa, stung the palms of Speroni
with a wickedly dipping free kick after Cesc Fabregas
had been fouled by Jason Puncheon.
Speroni scrambled clear under pressure from John
Terry, who was then forced to throw his body down
to deny Puncheon.
The Chelsea captain had deflected the ball into the
path of the Palace playmaker, whose shot veered off
Cesar Azpilicueta and hit Terry's shoulder and upper
arm before going clear.
Terry was booked -- just his second caution of the
season -- for a foul on James McArthur as Chelsea
continued to struggle to get a grip of the contest.
So often this year the Blues have looked to Hazard
for inspiration and incision.
The Belgium playmaker provided it when he
exchanged passes with Willian before being
sandwiched by McArthur and Adrian Mariappa to
earn a penalty.
Replays suggested the Professional Footballers'
Association Player of the Year, lauded for his
attitude despite being the most fouled player in the
league this season, may have gone down too easily.
Perhaps showing signs of nerves with his first
Premier League title at stake, Hazard scuffed the
resulting spot kick.
Speroni saved, only for the Chelsea forward to send
the goalkeeper the wrong way with a header from the
rebound.
Mikel is usually sent on to close a game out and the
Nigeria midfielder replaced the ineffective Cuadrado
at the interval.
Chelsea kept possession, biding their time, with
Branislav Ivanovic blasting wide from distance and
Mikel engineered a chance after a one-two with
Drogba, only for Speroni to save.
Palace continued to search for openings, but the last
pass was frequently out of reach, such as when
Wilfried Zaha tried to feed substitute Yaya Sanogo.
As Palace probed forwards, Chelsea continued to
search for a second.
Ivanovic blasted over and Willian manufactured a
chance for Drogba, but he could only fire into his
standing foot and the ball spun wide.
Courtois saved from Zaha and Willian shot wide
across goal on the counter-attack before making way
for Kurt Zouma in another defensive change.
Palace fans responded by reprising the Arsenal chant
from a week ago "boring, boring Chelsea."
Still Palace tried to upset their hosts, but the Blues
held on.
Mourinho celebrated with his family behind the
dugout at the final whistle as the ticker tape fell and
the players soaked up the acclaim.
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