5 Games That Won the Premier League Title for Chelsea and Jose Mourinho
Chelsea are the Premier League champions following Sunday's victory over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
Having been at the top of the table since the opening weekend, Jose Mourinho's side have proved worthy winners in 2014/15.
They've had their ups and downs, their off days and their comprehensive wins, but overall, they have been England's standout team.
John Terry has been their rock at the heart of defence, while the likes of Eden Hazard and Diego Costa have scored the goals to put Chelsea out in front, and as it transpired, uncatchable.
Which were the games that clinched Premier League glory for Chelsea?
Join Bleacher Report as we look at five pivotal matches in Chelsea's championship-winning season.
January 1: Tottenham Hotspur 5-3 Chelsea
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It's said that teams learn more from defeats than they do victories, which is how things turned out for Chelsea.
Starting off our list of the games that won Chelsea the title is the comprehensive 5-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day.
Chelsea had been in cruise control up to this point. There was a defeat against Newcastle United a month earlier, but despite some draws, they were still looking like the Premier League's strongest side.
Losing to Spurs was a wake-up call. It meant their lead over Manchester City was only by the odd goal, with their points advantage having been clawed back by Manuel Pellegrini's side.
After this, Jose Mourinho set about making Chelsea harder to beat. They've been more resilient, which has meant the entertainment value may have suffered, but their league form has been maintained.
Chelsea haven't lost in the league since and have reinstated their points advantage over City to double figures.
It was a heavy defeat, sure, but don't underestimate what happened as a result of losing at White Hart Lane.
January 31: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester City
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Again, this wasn't a victory for Chelsea. Nonetheless, drawing with Manchester City in late January was significant for Jose Mourinho's men.
By this time, Chelsea were five points clear of City at the top, so the result suited them more than their rivals.
As it was the second meeting of the season between the teams, it also meant City could no longer take points directly off Chelsea.
Suddenly, those five points looked much more significant.
Diego Costa was suspended for this game, with his replacement, Loic Remy, scoring for the Blues. It was a reminder of Chelsea's strength in depth that they could go toe-to-toe with their nearest rivals without their top goalscorer and still come out with a positive result.
Had City got a win, it would have given them the impetus they needed to chase Chelsea. They would have been two points behind, within touching distance and, significantly, with momentum.
As it was, City's title bid faltered from here. Chelsea were on a clean run.
March 14: Burnley 1-0 Manchester City
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This game sent shock waves throughout England, let alone the title race.
Chelsea were due to play Southampton a day later, fully expecting to have had their lead at the top cut by Manchester City.
After George Boyd's fabulous half-volley sealed a 1-0 win for relegation-threatened Burnley, it proved quite the opposite.
There were so many subplots surrounding this result.
Chelsea's subsequent 1-1 draw with Saints not only put them further ahead at the top, it was a major positive in what had been a bad week for Jose Mourinho's players.
The Blues had been knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain. They were looking weary, and questions were being raised about whether they had enough to get through to the end of the season.
City had a chance to ask those big questions to turn up the pressure. They failed miserably, and the psychological pendulum consequently swung back in Chelsea's favour.
April 12: Queens Park Rangers 0-1 Chelsea
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Talk about leaving it late.
Cesc Fabregas waited until the 88th minute to score the winner against Queens Park Rangers, crushing Chelsea's west London rivals.
It had a frustrating afternoon at Loftus Road.
QPR were battling against relegation, and it showed, as they fought for everything. It was a real combative display from the Hoops, and Chelsea had to match them.
The game was far from pretty, and Chelsea's task was one that faces any team going for the championship: They had to win this game by any means necessary.
In the end, a fluffed goal clearance by Rob Green landed to Eden Hazard, who picked out Fabregas to fire home.
It was a gritty, ugly win that eased the pressure on Chelsea, whose next two games were against Manchester United and Arsenal.
April 18: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Do not underestimate the value of a 1-0 win. They are priceless.
After beating QPR by the same scoreline a week earlier, Chelsea were at it again at Stamford Bridge. This time it was Manchester United who fell victim to their relentless pursuit of the Premier League title.
Chelsea's performance wasn't an attacking one, though. Jose Mourinho's tactics were calculated, designed to suck the life from the game and absorb United's pressure.
What the manager needed was a player to seize the moment when the time came, and it was no surprise that Eden Hazard scored the game's only goal.
It's always significant to beat your rivals regardless of how far behind they are in the title race.
What this victory did was kill any faint hopes United had of winning the league. It also kept Chelsea 10 points clear of Arsenal.
Both United and the Gunners had been in winning form ahead of facing Chelsea, so rather than winning, the key was to stop them in their tracks.
By defeating Louis van Gaal's team, Chelsea got more than they bargained for. A week later, a goalless draw at Arsenal finally ended the title race as a contest.
This result allowed Chelsea to do that.
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
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