How Chelsea won the Premier League: Five results which sent the title to Stamford Bridge
Five results which sent the title to Stamford Bridge..
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Your support makes all the difference.Jose Mourinho punched the air as Chelsea lifted their first Premier League title since 2010 with victory over Crystal Palace, but it has been a long season for the newly-crowned champions.
The Blues, who have been top of the league since the beginning of the campaign, have romped to success under the Portuguese boss yet again despite a series of off-field controversies threatening to derail their campaign.
But what are the fixtures which gave them the crown? We take a look at five results which sent Mourinho on his way to title joy..
Burnley 1 Chelsea 3, 18th August 2014
New signing Diego Costa scored on his Chelsea debut as the pre-season title favourites had to come from behind to outclass newly promoted Burnley at Turf Moor.
Mourinho had to endure a tense opening in Lancashire as Scott Arfield blasted Sean Dyche's men ahead but a midfield masterclass from Cesc Fabregas allowed the Spaniard to grab two assists as the Blues took control.
Costa levelled the scores in emphatic fashion, linking up with Fabregas, before Andre Schurrle and Branislav Ivanovic sealed the points on the opening day. The Blues haven't looked back since.
Liverpool 1 Chelsea 2, 8th November 2014
At the ground where they had such an important say on last season's title race, beating Liverpool on the afternoon of Steven Gerrard's infamous slip, Chelsea tightened their grip on 1st place with another fine win.
Emre Can put Brendan Rodgers' men ahead early on but it took just five minutes for defender Gary Cahill (calling upon the goal-line technology system) to drag the Blues back into contention.
Costa, who Liverpool have targeted in the past, then put the game beyond the hosts as he outpaced Martin Skrtel before knocking the ball past Simon Mignolet to continue their incredible start to the season.
Hull City 2 Chelsea 3, 22nd March 2015
Thibaut Courtois had Loic Remy to thank after his fortuitous late winner extended Chelsea's Premier League lead over Manchester City to six points.
Mourinho's boys were stunned by a Hull City comeback after going into a blistering lead courtesy of strikes from Eden Hazard and star striker Costa. The Tigers hauled themselves back into it, however, through Ahmed Elmohamady and Abel Hernandez.
Step forward Mr Remy. The former Newcastle and QPR striker stepped forward and, via an comical error from Allan McGregor, gave the Blues a vital victory in East Yorkshire.
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0, 18th April 2015
Chelsea edged to a narrow victory over Manchester United, despite the visitors having 70% possession, as the Blues went to within just two victories of the title.
The hosts were pushed all the way by a resurgent United, hunting a seventh successive Premier League victory, but Mourinho delivered another tactical masterclass to see his side through.
Hazard's neatly-worked opener was enough to give the Blues all three points and put one hand on the Premier League title.
Chelsea 1 Crystal Palace 0, 3rd May 2015
Following the 0-0 draw at Arsenal and a 3-1 victory over in-form Leicester City, the scene was set for Mourinho's dream afternoon in front of a baying Stamford Bridge crowd.
Some even thought the point at the Emirates was achieved deliberately, with Mourinho putting the brakes on to prevent Chelsea winning the title at the King Power Stadium, as the Blues coughed and spurted over the finish line.
They needed two points to lift the title but Palace didn't put up too much of a fight. Perhaps fittingly so, PFA Player of the Year Hazard was on hand to fire Chelsea to victory. A night-long party can now start in earnest.
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