Chelsea secured their first Premier League title in five years thanks to a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace this afternoon.
Eden Hazard scored the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge just moments before the break when he headed in after his initial penalty had been saved by Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.
Find out how the encounter unfolded with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
12.33pmAfternoon all. So, will there be celebrations in West London this afternoon? The champagne is certainly on ice at Stamford Bridge because a win today for Chelsea over Crystal Palace will see them crowned Premier League champions. We will have all the drama covered right here.
12.34pmWhat players has Jose Mourinho picked to go out and win the title, then? The answer is coming up very shortly.
12.35pmCHELSEA XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Drogba
12.36pmCHELSEA SUBS: Cech, Filipe Luis, Zouma, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Cuadrado, Remy
12.38pmThere's just the one change from Mourinho, who has restored Thibaut Courtois between the posts at the expense of Petr Cech. It means that Didier Drogba starts again as a lone centre-forward, while Loic Remy is back from injury and among the substitutes. Ramires is given another start, with youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek joining Remy on the bench.
12.39pmAnd now for the visiting Eagles...
12.40pmPALACE XI: Speroni; Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward; Ledley, McArthur; Puncheon, Mutch, Zaha; Bolasie
12.41pmPALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Hangeland, Kelly, Lee, Jedinak, Sanogo, Murray
12.45pmThe big news for Palace boss Alan Pardew is that he has full-back Joel Ward available following his recovery from a shin injury. Further up the pitch, it looks as though Yannick Bolasie will start as a lone striker, with Glenn Murray on the bench. Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha will be charged with the task of getting forward to support Bolasie, who usually plays in a wide role.
12.49pmSo, what an afternoon this promises to be for Mourinho, who guided Chelsea to the title in 2005 and 2006. Since then, he's won a number of trophies in Italy and Spain and also returned to winning ways in England thanks to the League Cup earlier this season. When he wins the Premier League this term, it will be his eighth title in his last 12 seasons as a manager in four different countries. Love him or loathe him, that's a fantastic record.
12.53pmSpeaking to reporters earlier this week, the Chelsea boss said: "[Winning the title] would mean a lot because we have lots of young players and it would be the first title for them, people that don't know what it is to be a champions, so I want this one a lot and if we clinch the title, at that moment I will be much more happy for them than for myself.
"When they have the taste of success, the big players want more. There are people who are happy with just one victory but the big ones don't get tired of winning.
"So I hope really that these players get a good taste which is maybe why the Capital One Cup was important for the group. We won a trophy and enjoyed Wembley, enjoyed the happiness of the supporters."
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12.57pm"Boring, boring Chelsea" - that was the chant aimed at Mourinho's charges last weekend during their 0-0 draw away at Arsenal. But is that a fair assessment? After all, the Blues have scored 68 goals in 34 Premier League games - only Manchester City (70) have scored more. Chelsea have won four more games than any other side, have the best goal difference and go into this game with a 13-point lead. I'm sure we all wouldn't mind our sides being that dull!
12.59pmTEAM CHANGE! There's a late alteration to the Chelsea starting lineup because Ramires has dropped out, presumably with an injury that he picked up in the warm-up, although there is no confirmation. January signing Juan Cuadrado is the man that has benefited from the Brazilian's absence.
1.02pmAnd now we have some confirmation on Ramires. The midfielder has been taken ill, rather than suffering an injury.
1.05pmWe took a look at what Mourinho said during his press conference a little earlier, but he's also been talking to Sky Sports News just now. Here's some of what he had to say.
"If we can do it today and go home champions, that is what we want. If the supporters push the team, I think we can do that. Palace were not invited for the party, they were invited for a Premier League match and they will try to win the game.
"At this moment, it's one match to play and we have a fantastic and comfortable advantage, but as always we want to try to win the game. I saw a very normal week [from the players]. Everybody is calm. We've studied the opponent well and when we see their lineup we can see they are coming here not to enjoy the game, they are coming here to get a result."
1.07pmOf course, there is another side out there today! And Mourinho is right, Palace will be looking to spoil the party. Sitting in 12th spot, the South Londoners can afford to play with some freedom as well, safe in the knowledge that there is no threat of relegation hanging over them.
1.09pmThe Eagles can also take some heart from the fact that they have a better away record than they do at home this season. They've lost just five times on the road, winning six times and drawing a further six matches.
1.11pmSTAT! And they also have a manager that knows what it takes to get the better of Chelsea:
4 - Alan Pardew has won four of his last six Premier League matches as an opposition coach against Chelsea. Spoilsport?
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 3, 20151.15pmTalking of Pardew, here's what he has had to say to Sky Sports News just now:
"I don't know about spoiling the party, we want to win a game of football. We're coming off the back of a disappointing game all round against Hull and I want to see a reaction. This team has a lot of pace in it. If you're going to try to limit the damage Chelsea can do, you need pace and we've got that.
"[Our away record] is unbelievable. We've got a great feeling in the dressing and there's some real leaders in there."
1.19pmNot long now until we are off and running at Stamford Bridge:
Warm-ups done. Here we go... #alltheway
https://t.co/CBM4rul6FS
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 3, 20151.23pmPREDICTION: Pardew is confident in his gameplan, but can Palace really halt the celebrations? They certainly have the pace to cause Chelsea problems, but it's difficult to see anything but a home win. Mourinho will have had his side working hard over the last couple of days on dealing with the speed of Puncheon, Zaha and Bolasie. It may be a closer game then some think, but let's go for a 2-1 Chelsea win, with Drogba and Hazard getting the goal for the champions in waiting.
1.26pmChelsea skipper John Terry leads his side out on to the pitch, hoping to skipper his team to a record-equalling fourth Premier League title. As you'd expect given the circumstances, there's a good atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge. The start of this game is imminent.
1 minKICKOFF! Hosting Chelsea, who will attack from left to right during the first half, get us underway in what is a sunny West London. They are 90 minutes away from the title.
2 minEarly attack from Chelsea as Fabregas loops a teasing cross into the Palace box. It looks as though Drogba is going to get there first, but the ball is just too high for the veteran striker and Speroni races off his line to thwart the danger.
7 minA tough but fair challenge from Mutch leaves Willian crumpled in a heap. That's the sort of intensity and desire that Palace are going to need to show all game if they are going to stand any chance of getting something from this game.
9 minPalace win a corner thanks to some quick footwork from Zaha inside the Chelsea box, but Puncheon wastes it with a poor delivery that is easily cleared.
11 minIt's been a good start from Palace and in particular Zaha, who has just won his side another corner after his cross was turned behind. They certainly aren't here to make up the numbers.
15 minBetter from Chelsea as Cuadrado gives possession to Hazard, who drives into the Palace box. He reaches the byline with a turn of speed and then drills in a dangerous low cross, but Drogba cannot reach it and the danger is cleared.
18 minA speculative effort from Cuadrado as he goes for goal some 35 yards out. The Colombian slips, but there is still plenty of power on the shot as the ball whistles over Speroni's bar. That would have been a Goal of the Season contender had it flown in.
22 minThere's a bit of an altercation on the right touchline in front of the two dugouts between Mutch and Ivanovic, with both accusing the other of being late in the challenge. Referee Kevin Friend is the peace-maker, while also keeping his cards in his pocket.
23 minBOOKING! But this time, Friend is forced to get his yellow card out. It's a deserved caution for Palace centre-back Dann as he hacks down Willian.
24 minCHANCE! Almost a big blunder from Speroni as he fails to deal with Fabregas's cross into the area. The loose ball breaks for Matic, but the Chelsea midfielder wants too much time before taking a shot, which allows the Palace defence to get back and snuff out the danger.
27 minSAVE! Another nervy moment for Speroni as Drogba's dipping shot from a set-piece situation catches out the Palace keeper. Terry is alive to it and attempts to pounce on the rebound, but Speroni recovers just in time to palm the ball to safety.
28 minBOOKING! It's now one apiece as far as bookings are concerned. Ivanovic is the player to get his name taken down for pulling back Zaha.
29 minCHANCE! What a big opening for Palace, which comes about after Terry fluffs his clearance. The ball breaks for Puncheon 12 yards from goal, but the Chelsea skipper makes up for his error by throwing himself in front of the Palace winger's shot, just as a goal looked inevitable. Replays show that it may have struck Terry on the upper arm, so he got away with one there.
33 minMATCH ACTION! Here's a shot of Willian wrestling for possession in a Ledley and Puncheon sandwich.
© Getty Images
36 minWell, from Chelsea's point of view, this is a similar first-half performance to the one that they produced at Leicester during the week. They look lethargic and are struggling to create any real chances. Perhaps another Mourinho dressing down at half-time is required.
37 minCHANCE! Or perhaps not! That's better from the Blues as Drogba and Fabregas exchange passes on the edge of the Palace box. Fabregas makes a hash of his shot, but the ball breaks for an alert Azpilicueta. However, the less said about the full-back's shot, the better.
38 minBOOKING! It's a caution for Chelsea captain Terry, who hauled down McArthur as Palace looked to launch a counter-attack.
39 minCHANCE! Palace really need to make the most of these openings because you can see them paying for it in the end. Bolasie stands up a cross towards the back post, which is cleared by Azpilicueta. The ball reaches Ledley on the edge of the box, but the midfielder scuffs his volley well wide of the target.
42 minMeanwhile, up the other end, Azpilicueta is sent to the byline by Willian. His cross is intended for Drogba at the near post, but the ball is too high and Speroni is able to hold it at the second attempt.
44 minPENALTY TO CHELSEA!
45 minGOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 PALACE (HAZARD)
45 minHazard finds himself in a McArthur and Mariappa sandwich and despite their being minimal contact, the Belgian hits the deck and Friend points to the spot. Usually so cool from 12 yards, Hazard's initial effort is saved by Speroni, but the ball pops up for the Chelsea playmaker, who nods in the rebound. It's tough on Palace, both in the nature of the award of the penalty and the fact that the ball broke so kindly for Hazard, but Chelsea lead.
45+2 minBOOKING! And Hazard is involved once again as he gets tangled up with Mariappa on the halfway line, resulting in a caution for the Palace defender.
45+3 minHALF-TIME: CHELSEA 1-0 PALACE
2.18pmOnce again it's not been a vintage performance from Chelsea, but the champions elect lead 1-0 at Stamford Bridge and are now just 45 minutes away from securing a first Premier League title since 2010.
2.23pmAs mentioned, Chelsea struggled for much of that half, but just like champions invariably do, they have found a way to get themselves in front. What's more, you wouldn't bet against them holding on to that lead now. Despite being happy with the advantage, Mourinho is bound to be disappointing with the display and will probably be telling his players just that.
2.27pmYou actually have to feel sorry for Palace because not only were they unfortunate to concede the penalty, they've played well. Having said that, they've had some good openings, but have failed to make the most of them. Nevertheless, they shouldn't be too despondent in the dressing room. They certainly are not out of this game, that's for sure.
2.30pmSTAT!
1 - That was the first penalty that Eden Hazard has missed in the Premier League (nine scored from 10 taken). Rebound.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 3, 201546 minRESTART! As Palace get us back underway, Cuadrado's miserable Chelsea stint has dipped even lower. Following a disappointing 45-minute showing, he's been taken off and replaced by Mikel, which should see Fabregas pushed further forward.
51 minHazard's first touch of the second half is granted by chants of "he's gonna dive in a minute" by the Palace faithful. They aren't happy with the Belgian!
56 minIt's been a positive start to the half by Chelsea, who are keeping possession well in the Palace half. Ivanovic has just tried his luck from long range, with his effort flashing wide of the target.
59 minSAVE! Mikel is not known for his goalscoring ability, but he has just gone close to doubling Chelsea's advantage. His movement is good to inherit possession from Drogba, with his low shot from 20 yards out then forcing Speroni into action. That would have been a collector's item!
61 minPALACE SUBS: Pardew has reacted to Chelsea's bright start to this half by making a double change which sees Mariappa and Mutch replaced by Kelly and Murray.
63 min"We're gonna win the league" bellow many of the Chelsea fans. The belief is starting to rise around Stamford Bridge.
68 minThe intensity of the game has died down somewhat. Palace are still probing with counter-attacks, but they are not coming too much at present. As it stands, Chelsea are easing themselves to the title.
70 minCHANCE! And just as I say that, Palace go ever so close to scoring an equalising goal. The ball drops invitingly for Puncheon to hit 20 yards from goal and he doesn't need asking twice. His low effort beats a helpless Courtois, but luckily for Chelsea it skids inches wide of the target.
71 minPALACE SUB: And that was Puncheon's final involvement this afternoon. He's been replaced by Arsenal loanee Yaya Sanogo.
76 minAnother good opening for Palace as Zaha attempts to slide a pass through to Sanogo, who would have been through on goal. However, Zaha's pass is overhit and it runs harmlessly out for a goal kick to Chelsea. Once again it's the final ball that lets Palace down.
80 minCHANCE! That was an opportunity for Chelsea to wrap up the title and it's been spurned by Ivanovic. The right-back was leaning back a bit and it's resulted in him shooting well over the crossbar from 12 yards out.
82 minCHANCE! And another chance bites the dust. Willian pulls the ball back from the right byline for Drogba, but he fails to make a clean contact with the ball and he can only fire off target. You'd expect better from the veteran in that position.
83 minCHANCE! It's openings galore for Chelsea all of a sudden! A swift counter-attack ends with Willian, who moves across the face of the Palace box, before shooting a foot wide of goal.
85 minCHELSEA SUB: And that is the end of Willian's afternoon. He comes off to a standing ovation and is replaced by Kurt Zouma.
88 minMATCH ACTION! Is this the man that has won Chelsea the Premier League title? Here he is celebrating the goal that separates the two teams.
© Getty Images
90 minJust two minutes of stoppage time is all that stands between Chelsea and the Premier League title.
90+2 minCHELSEA SUB: A third and final change for Chelsea sees the likely match-winner Hazard take his leave, with Filipe Luis coming on.
90+4 minFULL TIME: CHELSEA 1-0 PALACE - CHELSEA ARE THE PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!
3.22pmStoppage time went on for a bit longer than expected, but Chelsea held on to win their fifth English league title and third under the management of Mourinho. As you'd expect, the players are jubilant out there on the pitch. They've been the best team this season without a doubt and a worthy champions.
3.26pmChelsea skipper John Terry talking to Sky Sports News:
"We've worked so hard this year to get over the line. It was a little bit nervy. They're a good side since Pardew went there.
"I'm still fighting and I'm still in the side. More importantly, I've got great players and a great manager around me. It's been five years since we won it and that's hurt. We're going to enjoy today."
He then signs off by offering his condolences to Rio Ferdinand, who sadly lost his wife to cancer on Friday.
3.28pmAnd with that, we're going to end our live coverage of the events at Stamford Bridge. However, be sure to stick with Sports Mole for all the reaction to Chelsea's triumph, as well as analysis and player ratings. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and until next time, goodbye.
