Chelsea sealed the English Premier League after an efficient performance against Crystal Palace, Eden Hazard scoring the lone goal of the encounter. Sergio Aguero scored yet again to keep the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester United for Champions League spots as City overcame Tottenham 1-0.
“Today was not a game to enjoy” Mourinho claimed after the game, “Today was a day to finish the job.” And Chelsea kept Palace’s feisty attacking trio at bay with some disciplined and methodical defending, executing Mourinho’s plans to sheer perfection. Chelsea blocked and headed away anything foreign in their box but were rather tame in front of goal. Finally in the last minute of first-half regulation time, Eden Hazard was tripped (?) by McArthur after the Belgian rode on Willian’s back-heel, surging into the 18-yard box. The Player of the Season made minimal contact but Palace’s furious appeals were to no avail. Astonishingly enough, Hazard’s penalty was probably the ugliest you’ll ever see – straight at the ‘keeper with hardly any pace on the ball – but Speroni only managed to rebound the ball right into Hazard’s path and this time around, he made no mistake in heading the ball home. Palace were arguably the better side but it didn’t matter, as long as Chelsea had the lead.
The chances of an incredibly dull second-half were on the cards and unsurprisingly, Mourinho chose to hold on to his slender lead, as he brought on Mikel for Cuadrado as a half-time substitute. Other than a few half-chances, Chelsea were laid back for the entirety of the last 45. With 10 minutes to go, Ivanovic and Willian blazed their shots over and wide but it didn’t matter as long as they didn’t concede at the other end. Chelsea ended up playing the game with 6 defenders, two of them playing in midfield as Mourinho was desperate not to squander his lead. After Kevin Friend blew the final whistle, Stamford Bridge let out a huge roar and even Roman Abramovich was smiling gleefully in his VIP box.
The celebrations were in full swing as Chelsea claimed their fourth Barclays Premier League title and although this match lacked the intensity and elegance displayed in the first few months of the campaign, Chelsea, especially the back-four, did the job doggedly. “It’s what champions do,” Alan Pardew later said. “They don’t let you back in when they get the lead.” Jose Mourinho has suffered enormous criticism for his tactics and ‘boring’ style of play but in the end, Chelsea undoubtedly deserved to be champions.
Meanwhile, the fight for 2nd place is still on and Manchester City inched closer to assuring a Champions League spot after a narrow win at White Hart Lane. Sergio Aguero’s goal in the 29th minute was enough against an exceedingly wasteful Tottenham side, with 16 attempts off target. Despite this encouraging win, City have had a disappointing season and rumors of the sack for Manuel Pellegirini are increasing with each passing day.
Tags: Chelsea EPL
