Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League
Chelsea captured the Premier League title with three games to spare following a 1-0 victory over visiting Crystal Palace on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.
Eden Hazard scored the game's only goal, heading in the rebound after missing a penalty as the Blues claimed the club's first title in five years, a fourth in the Premier League era and fifth overall.
The victory, Chelsea's 25th of the season in 35 games, put the Blues on 83 points and beyond the reach of any of their Premier League rivals. And throughout the season, the latter is exactly what Jose Mourinho's side have been as they hunted down the title with efficiency, skill and professionalism.
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From the first weeks of the campaign to the most recent, Chelsea have at no point surrendered their spot atop the table. The Blues took control of the league with four straight wins to start the season, and after ending New Year's Day level on points with Manchester City, they left their challengers behind with an unbeaten run that now stretches 15 matches.
Like any good Mourinho side, Chelsea have done it in large part with defence, surrendering only 27 goals, the lowest total in England's top flight. And while some critics have accused the Blues of playing a boring brand of football, only Manchester City have scored more than Chelsea's 69 goals.
Regardless of any criticism, Chelsea will be remembered as deserving title winners. In addition to the aforementioned accolades, the Blues are the only side in England's top four divisions not to have lost a match at home this campaign.
And what is frightening for Chelsea's rivals is the real possibility that this year's title-winning campaign could herald a prolonged era of sustained success. At the senior level, the squad is strong and deep and is backed by the financial support of owner Roman Abramovich. And at the youth level, Chelsea have won back-to-back FA Youth Cup finals, a feat that suggests further success.
Up next, Chelsea host Liverpool in a battle of Premier League powers next Sunday. Crystal Palace host Manchester United on Saturday.
In accordance with the occasion, Chelsea started the match on the front foot and carved out a half-chance in the fourth minute as Cesc Fabregas lofted a cross into the box for Didier Drogba. Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni hesitated coming off his line but collected the ball unsteadily.
Palace started to grow into the game, winning a series of corners over the next several minutes, but the visitors did not create a clear scoring chance.
Speroni had another uneasy moment in the 24th minute, punching a free-kick into a dangerous spot inside his own box. Chelsea's Nemanja Matic collected the ball near the byline and shot low at the near post, but Speroni recovered in time to save.
The Palace goalkeeper looked shaky again three minutes later, when he spilled a Didier Drogba free-kick in the goalmouth. John Terry was lurking dangerously, but Speroni collected before the Chelsea captain could turn the loose ball into the net.
Palace appealed for a penalty in the 29th minute after creating a good chance in Chelsea's box. The lively Wilfried Zaha nipped inside from the left flank and crossed to Jason Puncheon, whose shot from inside the box was blocked by a sliding Terry. The ball struck Terry's knee and then his arm, but referee Kevin Friend declined to award a spot-kick.
Instead, the hosts won a penalty of their own in the 44th minute. After playing a one-two with Willian on the left, Hazard burst into the box and fell to the ground as he ran past James McArthur and Adrian Mariappa. Replays suggested contact was minimal, and B/R's Sam Tighe argued that Hazard was guilty of simulation.
Hazard took the penalty himself one minute later, but his shot was poor and Speroni saved easily. But the ball looped through the air straight back to Hazard, who nodded into the bottom corner for a 1-0 Chelsea lead heading into half-time.
After the break, the Blues quickly monopolised possession, holding the ball patiently and waiting for Palace to come out of their rigid defensive shell. Chances became scarce, with Branislav Ivanovic shooting off target in the 56th minute and substitute John Obi Mikel hitting a low drive straight at Speroni three minutes later.
Palace had a chance out of nothing in the 69th minute, with Puncheon rifling a snap-shot just wide of the target from long distance.
Ivanovic nearly doubled Chelsea's lead in the 80th minute, but his left-footed drive sailed over the bar from a promising position on the right side of the box. One minute later, Drogba sent a scuffed effort wide of the post.
Willian was the next to have a go on goal, firing narrowly wide of the target from the edge of the box in the 83rd minute.
As full-time approached, Palace pushed forward in search of a late equaliser. But true to form, Chelsea's defence held firm, and after seeing out two minutes of stoppage time, the Blues were champions.
Grades
| Thibaut Courtois | 6.7 |
| Branislav Ivanovic | 7.3 |
| Gary Cahill | 8.0 |
| John Terry | 6.7 |
| Cesar Azpilicueta | 7.0 |
| Cesc Fabregas | 7.8 |
| Nemanja Matic | 8.0 |
| Juan Cuadrado | 6.5 |
| Willian | 7.7 |
| Eden Hazard | 7.3 |
| Didier Drogba | 7.7 |
| John Obi Mikel (for Cuadrado, 46') | 6.4 |
| Kurt Zouma (for Willian, 85') | 6.3 |
| Filipe Luis (for Hazard, 90') | No rating |
| Julian Speroni | 8.1 |
| Adrian Mariappa | 6.1 |
| Scott Dann | 6.2 |
| Damien Delaney | 6.9 |
| Joel Ward | 7.1 |
| Jason Puncheon | 6.5 |
| James McArthur | 6.8 |
| Joe Ledley | 7.0 |
| Wilfried Zaha | 7.4 |
| Jordon Mutch | 6.3 |
| Yannick Bolasie | 6.1 |
| Martin Kelly (for Mariappa, 60') | 6.3 |
| Glenn Murray (for Mutch, 61') | 6.0 |
| Yaya Sanogo (for Puncheon, 71') | 6.2 |
Reaction
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, via BBC Sport:
"I come back to work the best I can and give everything I can to be champions which is a consequence of that work and dedication. When I came back I knew that I was coming back to the most difficult league to win in the world of football. And we've done it. I had my family just behind the bench and I could hug and kiss them. I let the players enjoy it on the pitch.
Crystal Palace were fantastic with the way they have played. They were like they need the game to be champions or to not be relegated. For a team that is middle of the table that is fantastic and is the nature of football here. From day one to today nobody gave us anything. Everything we got we deserved.
Every title is a consequence of hard work and a reason to be happy and proud. I can't evaluate and say which was one more important. This was my last title and I try to get another one. The group starts with the Capital One 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.
"
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew, via BBC Sport:
"Congratulations to Chelsea and Jose Mourinho and his players. They thoroughly deserve to win it and they're a credit to football. This Chelsea team were flamboyant in the first half of the season and did the job in the second half of the campaign. They have all the tools you need to win it.
Today I thought we were a credit to the Premier League in terms of giving the champions a game. We made it hard for them. We had a game plan to try to restrict them. They are a difficult team to face - a team for all seasons and all scenarios.
We could've had a penalty and they got one, and that was key. I'm not going to be critical of Eden Hazard, he's had a bit of contact and gone down.
"
Follow @MiguelCominguez
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