Confirmation of what had been on the cards for months was given on Friday night, as Chelsea secured the Premier League title with a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion.
Antonio Conte’s side knew that a victory of any kind would deliver a second domestic league title in three years, but Tony Pulis and West Brom were determined to make it as tough as possible to come away from the Hawthorns with three points and that trophy.
The winner, when the West Brom rearguard was finally breached, came via the most unlikely of sources. Michy Batshuayi, the almost-forgotten £33m striker that had played less than two hours of Premier League football this season, came off the bench with fifteen minutes remaining, and within minutes had made himself a Chelsea hero by turning in Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross.
Cue wild scenes from the dugout, with Conte even cutting his lip in the midst of the celebrations.
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The Blues held out to record the victory, and the celebrations only became that bit more frantic as Conte, never one to hide his emotions at the best of times, enjoyed the occasion with his players and his visiting fans, as his first season at Stamford Bridge has ended with the Italian bagging the league title.
By popular definition, Conte would be the ‘ideal’ boyfriend to have; no hidden emotions.pic.twitter.com/vfsweVCBQC
— Abdul-aziz Mu’azu (@mabziz) May 12, 2017
You know the words, Blues fans!!! ?#ChelseaChampions ? pic.twitter.com/Fy0lMojXsr
— CHAMPIONS! ? (@ChelseaFC) May 12, 2017
CHELSEA ARE PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS! ?#ChelseaChampions pic.twitter.com/p2fAy8NFz1
— CHAMPIONS! ? (@ChelseaFC) May 12, 2017
Congratulations to @ChelseaFC on becoming Premier League Champions.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 12, 2017
Scenes from Chelsea’s dressing room… ? ? pic.twitter.com/NqqmHduINq
— Football Expose (@FootballExpose) May 12, 2017
Football and the never-ending watershed (nice bonus Conte celebration-bombing) pic.twitter.com/KXFr4MoD3p
— James Dart (@James_Dart) May 12, 2017
Read More About: antonio conte, Chelsea, michy batshuayi, Premier League, Top Story