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Chelsea clinches Premier League title with win over Crystal Palace

Dylan Martinez/Reuters

Dylan Martinez/Reuters

The final day of the Premier League is often one of the most exciting in sports, but the only drama in 2015 will be at the bottom of the table. With three games left to play, Chelsea clinched the Premier League title with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge, the club’s third league title under manager José Mourinho.

The win was hardly thrilling, but it (temporarily) gave Chelsea a 16-point gap over Manchester City and Arsenal, and by May 24th, the Blues will set a new record for consecutive days spent on top of the table with 274.

As he has done so often with Diego Costa out injured, 24-year-old superstar Eden Hazard made the difference for Chelsea. Hazard was tripped as split two defenders and darted into the penalty area in the 44th minute, earning a penalty kick.

Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni saved Hazard’s kick from the spot, but the ball rebounded back to the Belgian, and the PFA Player of the Year headed into the side netting before the Crystal Palace defense going clear.

Carl Recine/Reuters

Carl Recine/Reuters

Crystal Palace managed a sustained threat on Thibaut Courtois’ goal, and Chelsea closed out a 1-0 lead in the second half.

Chelsea will wait to lift the trophy until the final home game of the season, but the celebration raged on in the dressing room after the game.

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