SAN FRANCISCO, May 12, (THEWILL) – Chelsea were crowned Premier League champions of the 2016/2017 season as Michy Batshuayi’s late goal gave them the victory they required to secure the title at West Brom.
The 1-0 win over West Brom which took them to 87 points means Chelsea now have 10 points more than closest rivals Tottenham who can only get nine points more as they have only three games left to play.
Michy Batshuayi, who had hardly kicked the ball all season, was the unlikely hero on a night when Chelsea wrapped up their sixth title in the face of surprisingly obdurate resistance from West Brom. His 82nd minute winner sparked wild celebrations among Chelsea’s players, backroom team and Chelsea fans worldwide.
It looked as though Antonio Conte’s side might be forced to delay their celebrations as they were frustrated for long periods by the resilience and organisation of their hosts.
But the mood changed and the title was won with eight minutes left as substitute Batshuayi, who had previously endured a season of struggle after his £33m move from Marseille, ended a scrappy passage of play by steering a finish high past Ben Foster.
The final whistle sparked wild celebrations among Chelsea’s fans, and manager Conte was tossed high into the air by his squad.
The league championship was the first to be won by Conte in his first season in charge of the Blues and the Italian can now set his sights on emulating compatriot Carlo Ancelotti’s 2010 feat of winning the league and domestic Double as the Blues prepare for an FA Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley on 27 May.
No praise is too high for the 47-year-old, who took over a squad that looked broken after ending last season in 10th place and with the shadow of Jose Mourinho’s sacking still hanging over the club.
Chelsea have got through an entire Premier League season – well, 36 games of it with two to go – without having a single player sent off.
