Chelsea have done it – the title is officially theirs after they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to claim the three points they needed to win the Premier League.
So let’s look back at some of the key moments from their successful campaign.
1. Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0, Stamford Bridge
October 5, 2014
You probably remember more about the controversy of this match than the actual football. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger shoved Jose Mourinho as their long running feud turned physical, but it was Chelsea who dealt the biggest blows on the pitch to go five points clear at the top of the table. An Eden Hazard penalty and Diego Costa’s strike saw Chelsea end Arsenal’s unbeaten start and extend their lead. Wenger’s poor record against Mourinho’s Blues, meanwhile, was extended to no wins in 12 attempts.
2. Swansea 0 Chelsea 5, Liberty Stadium
January 17, 2015
Having seen their advantage cut, Chelsea sent out an emphatic title warning at the Liberty Stadium. Oscar and Diego Costa both scored twice inside the first 36 minutes and substitute Andre Schurrle (remember him?) completed the rout. “It was a perfect game, everything went in our direction,” Mourinho said.
3. Aston Villa 1 Chelsea 2, Villa Park
February 7, 2015
Branislav Ivanovic’s strike gave Chelsea a crucial win at Aston Villa, where their title challenge unravelled a year before. Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Hull allowed the Blues to move seven points clear, despite Villa’s first goal in 11 hours. Mourinho dismissed the margin, saying: “In another country I would say it’s fantastic. In this country I would say it’s nothing. Every game is difficult, anything can happen.” Timing is everything – a week later Tim Sherwood arrived at Villa, who became a different side after that.
4. Hull 2 Chelsea 3, KC Stadium
March 22, 2015
Loic Remy came off the bench to spare Chelsea’s blushes after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois’ first-half howler. Fine efforts from Hazard and Costa put the visitors two up inside nine minutes but Hull stunned their visitors with two goals in as many minutes before the half-hour, one after a calamitous Courtois touch. Remy settled matters, though.
5. Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0, Stamford Bridge
April 18, 2015
Hazard knocked Manchester United out of the reckoning as Chelsea closed in on a first title for five years and a fourth in 11 campaigns. United dominated possession but Hazard struck on the counter-attack as Mourinho’s fine record against top of the table rivals continued. From this point on those hoping for a proper title race were well and truly clutching at straws.
Source: SNAPPA
