West Brom 0 Chelsea 1: WATCH HIGHLIGHTS – Michy Batshuayi comes off the bench to score historic winner and seal Premier League title
MICHY BATSHUAYI has not scored many goals this season but his strike here will go down in history.
The Belgian striker came off the bench to beat Ben Foster and seal Chelsea's Premier League triumph.
Antonio Conte's side were denied two penalties in the first half as they struggled to break down West Brom.
And it almost got worse after the break as Cesar Azpilicueta did brilliantly to make up ground and prevent Salomon Rondon scoring on the counter.
Former Tottenham star Nacer Chadli almost helped Spurs but fired wide with 18 minutes left.
And after a dreary opening 82 minutes, a typically scrappy period of play ended with Batshuayi netting a historic goal from close range.
FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS
- Chelsea were guaranteed to leave the Midlands with one thing at least - a parking ticket after their bus got done for taking too long loading up outside the team hotel in the Bullring in Birmingham’s busy city centre.
- West Brom’s programme covers this season have been dedicated to classic vinyl records covers and tonight’s was particularly fitting as it was ‘Madness One Step Beyond’ a popular song with Chelsea fans.
- Chelsea fans unfurled a banner with a mocked up picture of boss Antonio Conte on it and words ‘The Don’ above in the style of the ‘Godfather’ movie.
- By chance West Brom and Chelsea play Trojan Record classic Ska tune ‘Liquidator’ before matches - resulting in a rousing chorus before kick off.
- Baggies defender Jonny Evans gets away with patting the ball along the ground with his hand in the first half. Astonishing lack of awareness from the officials.
- Ok we know it’s not high summer but did West Brom defender Allan Nyom really need to wear gloves?
- Victor Moses goes close for Chelsea in the second half but they cannot control the game as they have done in so many matches this season.
- Salomon Rondon gets clean through after mugging David Luiz but is shoved off the ball by a great last ditch challenge from Cesar Azpilicueta.
- Chelsea boss Antonio Conte makes double substitution with Willian replacing Pedro but interestingly, Michy Batshuayi comes on for Eden Hazard with 15 minutes left.
SOCIAL SAYS
BIG PICTURE
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
Chelsea: Courtois 7; Azpilicueta 7, David Luiz 7, Cahill 6; Moses 7, Matic 6, Fabregas 7, Alonso 7; Pedro 6, Diego Costa 6, Hazard 6. Subs: Batshuayi 6, Willian 6, Zouma 6.
West Brom: Foster 6; Dawson 6, McAuley 7, Evans 7, Nyom 6; Brunt 6, Livermore 6, Fletcher 5, Field 6, McClean 6; Rondon 6. Subs: Yacob 6, Wilson 6, Chadli 6.
WHAT THEY SAID
Antonio Conte: "I think Hazard and Pedro were a bit tired and I wanted to give more energy with Michy and Willian
"I think Michy paid me a lot – we deserved this change. For me this is my first season.
"It wasn’t easy for me to arrive in England and try a different language and also a lot of players after a bad season.
"This win is for the players because they deserved this with great attitude and commitment."
Cesc Fabreagas: "A player who didn’t play a lot, people thought wouldn’t come too much, scores the winner of the championship, it’s f***ing unbelievable!"
John Terry: "It’s fantastic for me but these boys have been on the pitch doing it week in week out
Delight for me to see it from different perspective.
"The togetherness in group is special. When we lost to Arsenal, Liverpool – to come back and regroup was unbelievable and fundamental in our season."