The Blues secured the Barclays Premier League title this afternoon (Sunday) with three games to spare courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

Having gone into the game knowing a victory would see us crowned champions, Eden Hazard’s goal shortly before the break, when the Belgian headed home after his penalty had been saved, proved decisive.

The sound of the final whistle sparked jubilant scenes inside Stamford Bridge as players, supporters and management celebrated our first title triumph in five years wildly.

In his matchday programme notes Jose Mourinho had opted for a simple message rather than the customary full article, saying: ‘Three more points, let’s do it together,’ and the home fans  responded, roaring their team home in the face of a late flurry of Crystal Palace pressure.

It’s now three Premier League titles for Mourinho as Chelsea manager, and he feels his side are worthy champions.

‘When you work so hard and you are champions you feel you got what you deserved, it’s a good feeling,’ said the Blues boss. ‘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.

‘What the players are feeling now is fantastic, they deserve it and now they can relax. Palace played like it was a crucial game for them and that was the pure feelings of football, we have to do the same in our three remaining matches.’

Mourinho paid tribute to his side for the spirit they’ve shown at various times during the campaign
‘We were convinced for a long time but my experience and maturity was always present and in control of the emotions and the situation. We are champions now but during the season we had some crucial moments we coped with in a fantastic way. On 1 January when we were level on points with City after a heavy defeat at Spurs, instead of being a turning point it was our last defeat. From that moment we haven’t had one single defeat. The team were always there, everybody knows we deserve it.’

He believes his side have shown a whole host of qualities throughout the season
‘We showed absolutely everything football demands from a team since day one; fantastic attacking football, fantastic domination, high percentages of ball possession, low percentages of ball possession, we gave the ball to the opponents strategically, we defended well. The game today was a good example: Crystal Palace gave us a counter-attack game, we coped with that. We scored our goal, we changed the team and in the second half, with Mikel and Matic in midfield, we controlled the game completely. In the last part of the game they played with one target man, we coped with that. In the final few minutes they played with two target men, we coped with that. We did everything a team needs to do. That’s why we are champions and why we deserve to be champions, I think everybody knows that.’

Mourinho was asked to compare this title triumph to his previous two as Chelsea manager
‘The first one was difficult because it was our first one in the Premier League. The second one our team was so strong and stable, with so many big players in the best years of their careers. This one is completely different, the league is different, Chelsea are different, opponents are different. My team is one where so many of them have won the league for the first time, that’s something they have to learn to do. I’m so happy for them. Because of everything we’ve done since day one I feel we got what we deserved.’

He provided an update on the health of his father, who underwent an operation earlier this week
‘When the game finished at Leicester I immediately went to Portugal, I was there with him at the most difficult moment, the surgery. Apart from that it’s under control. He’s strong and is getting better and better so I’m much more relaxed.’

The Portuguese also explained why Ramires played no part today
‘ Ramires went to hospital because he was feeling so bad. I’m going to visit him now, if he’s still there, he was feeling really bad.’

Mourinho’s opposite number, Alan Pardew, was full of praise for the manner in which we won the match – and the title.

‘They’re a team that can function in any scenario,’ said the Palace boss. ‘They kept the ball and frustrated us. That’s what champions do. They don’t let you back into the game when they take the lead. They’ve only lost two games all season.’

Source:Chelsea FC edited by Evan Marara