English Premier League Report: Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace 3 May 2015
Result: Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace
Date: 3 May 2015
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Chelsea put in a workmanlike performance against Crystal Palace on
Sunday to earn a 1-0 victory and clinch the English Premier League
title.
The hosts made a nervy start to the clash but were given a good
opportunity in the 24th minute when a mistake by Palace keeper Julian
Speroni resulted in the loose ball falling at Nemanja Matic's feet
following a set-piece. The midfielder had a tight angle to shoot from at
the near post and sent his effort into a wall of bodies instead of
playing it back for Didier Drogba who was in space on the edge of the
area.
In the 44th minute the Blues had the opening they were waiting for.
Willian and Eden Hazard played a one-two on the edge of the box before
the Belgian darted into the area where he was tripped by McArthur,
resulting in a penalty for the hosts.
Hazard's penalty was uncharacteristically poor and was easily saved by
Speroni, but the keeper could only parry it back towards the PFA Player
of the Year who nodded it home to save his blushes and give Chelsea the
crucial breakthrough.
Branislav Ivanovic came close to securing the league title in the 56th
minute when he opted to smash a shot at goal from 30 yards, but it flew
just wide of the far post.
At the other end of the pitch Puncheon almost netted what would have
been a sensational equaliser. A long ball forward was headed down by
Murray, allowing Puncheon to pounce on it, blasting a half-volley from
30 yards that beat Thibault Courtois but only just missed wide.
In the last few minutes of the clash Blues boss Jose Mourinho shut up
shop as he brought on the imposing figure of Kurt Zouma to replace
Willian and ensure that the three points were collected and the Premier
League title secured with the 1-0 win.
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