It wasn’t the performance of champions at Stamford Bridge but that has pretty much been the story this season in the Premier League. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho got his tactics spot on yet again, as Eden Hazard scored the only goal in their win over Crystal Palace. Chelsea have not been playing very attractive football lately and this game was no different. They have been called ‘boring’ by rival fans for their defensive approach in most of the games but Jose Mourinho has been focusing on winning games, no matter how they play. Chelsea’s excellent record in the league shows how effective their tactics have been. They have lost only two games this season while remaining unbeaten at home.
Chelsea went into this game with 80 points, needing just three more to seal the title. Out of the two games that Chelsea lost, one of them was against Alan Pardew’s Newcastle United. This time, however, Alan Pardew was managing Crystal Palace, as Newcastle United parted ways with Pardew in December last year. Chelsea, despite their defensive approach, are being effective in the final third consistently. Chelsea’s only goal came in the 45th minute through the Player of the Season, Eden Hazard. Hazard was allegedly brought down by James McArthur in the box, resulting in a penalty. Hazard, who has been excellent from the spot throughout the season, made a complete mess of it, as he shot the ball straight at the goalkeeper. The rebound found Hazard again and this time he headed the ball cleverly into the bottom-left corner.
The second half saw Chelsea being more cautious and it was clear that Mourinho wanted to make sure they didn’t concede, as he replaced Juan Cuadrado with John Obi Mikel at half time. By the end of the second half, Chelsea had introduced two more defenders in Kurt Zouma and Filipe Luís. It worked out very well yet again and Chelsea kept another clean sheet. Chelsea kept most of the possession with 59% as opposed to Palace’s 41%. Chelsea also had more shots, with six on target, while Palace managed to find the target just once.
Crystal Palace won’t be affected much by that loss, as they sit comfortably in 12th spot with 42 points, nine points clear of the relegation zone. Stamford Bridge has been a nightmare for all visiting teams this season and Crystal Palace was no different.
Jose Mourinho was ecstatic about winning his third title with Chelsea:
“When you work so hard and you are champions you feel you got what you deserved, it’s a good feeling. For me, it may be a special feeling because I’m not the smartest guy when it comes to choosing countries and clubs. I chose the most difficult league in Europe, I chose a club where I was happy before. I’m so happy to win another Premier League title in my second spell at the club. I will try for another one. The day I don’t feel the pressure to do it again, I will stop.”
Premier League top six as it stands:
1. Chelsea: 83
2. Manchester City: 70
3. Arsenal: 67
4. Manchester United: 65
5. Liverpool: 61
6. Tottenham: 58