By CFC Unofficial (Debs) (Chelsea 6 Maribor 0Champions League) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsDerby day for Chelsea FC, as Crystal Palace would take the short trip to Stamford Bridge to try and spoil the Blues’ title coronation. Though winning the Barclay’s Premier League championship seems a mere formality now, Palace would be doing everything in their power to delay the celebrations, and get one over on their rivals. Juan Cuadrado would step into the starting XI for Ramires, who was a late scratch.
During the opening stages of the game, Palace definitely were trying to assert themselves. Recent history shows the game certainly wouldn’t be a walk in the park. It seemed like their strategy early on would be to try and beat Chelsea with their teams aerial ability.
In the 23rd minute, the visitors almost gifted a goal. Palace executed a offside trap for an attacking Chelsea free kick, but goalkeeper Julian Speroni fumbled his catch, and almost allowed Nemanja Matic to score a close range effort.
Didier Drogba almost gave the home fans a flashback to yesteryear, after he nearly beat Speroni with a dipping free kick.
With just a minute remaining before halftime, Chelsea would take the lead through Eden Hazard. The PFA Player of the Year earned a penalty, and stepped up to take it himself. While his initial effort was saved well, the rebound came back to him, and his second effort nestled into the corner of the net.
Palace will surely be disappointed in conceding a goal so late in the half, especially after playing well for nearly the full 45 minutes. Chelsea are extremely difficult to break down, especially at home, and it would take something special from the Eagles, to pull one back.
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John Obi Mikel would come in at halftime for Juan Cuadrado. This would give Chelsea a very formidable defensive midfield with Matic and Mikel.
Whether the introduction of Mikel was an omen or not, the game did indeed slow down, pace wise. Palace had chances here and there, but couldn’t consistently get themselves in good attacking positions. Chelsea were happy to defend their 1-0 lead, knowing even a 1-1 draw, while a little heartbreaking, would be an acceptable result.
Chelsea had to endure the usual late flurry that usually comes from a side down one late on, and they did so professionally. Players and fans alike went into raucous cheers as the final whistle rang, and Chelsea FC were crowned 2014-2015 Barclay’s Premier League Champions.
It will be looked back upon as a great season for the Blues, after they were top of the league for virtually the entire season. They picked up where they left off last year, getting great results again the “big four” clubs, and picking up maximum points more often than not against clubs they were favored against. “Boring boring Chelsea” are now “boring boring champions”.