AFP/London
Chelsea captain John Terry said his side had ended five years of hurt after they secured the Premier League title with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace yesterday.
“This is what I live for. It’s been five years since we’ve won it,” Terry told Sky Sports in an on-pitch interview. “The first one (in 2005) was special and when you go four or five years without it, it hurts. So I’ll really enjoy it today.”
Chelsea prevailed when Eden Hazard, after seeing his penalty saved by Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni, followed up to head in on the stroke of half-time. Victory enabled Jose Mourinho’s side to establish an unassailable 13-point lead at the top of the table and claim a first English crown since 2010. “It’s an unbelievable feeling,” added Terry, who has led Chelsea to four of their five English league titles. “We’ve worked so hard, so to get over the line is great. It was a bit nervous. They (Palace) are a good side and made it difficult. Thankfully, Eden got the goal and we won the game.”
Hazard, recently voted Player of the Year by England’s Professional Footballers’ Association, said: “We deserve to be champions, and everyone at Chelsea is happy today. “The manager (Mourinho) gives me a lot of feelings and I can play my best football on the pitch, which is the most important thing. I know the team need me and a player like me. I am here to score, and this season all the players did well.”
