Chelsea ended the season in style as they beat Sunderland and lifted the Premier League title at Stamford Bridge. Diego Costa and a brace from Loic Remy gave the champions the win to wrap up what has been a fantastic season. The hosts were presented the title at the full time whistle, as John Terry lifted the trophy for the fourth time as Blues captain.
Two legends were given starts, ahead of possible departures during the summer. Petr Cech returned in goal after a minor injury, as he looks set to leave in order to find first team football. Didier Drogba confirmed that he would be leaving the club this summer just hours before kick off, and he captained the team and led the line going into the final game.
Sunderland didn’t quite read the script for this match, as they spoiled the Chelsea party by taking a first half lead. Fletcher struck for the visitors to give them a shock lead, even though they were already safe from relegation. Shortly after that, Drogba picked up an injury, ending his career at the club. The rest of the players carried him off the pitch, before he was replaced by Costa.
It was Costa who equalised before half time, as he buried a penalty to put the champions back level. John O’Shea barged Juan Cuadrado, gifting Costa the chance to equalise. It certainly got the fans back into the party spirit, as that early goal silenced the crowd. The match was devoid of any real intensity, as both clubs had already achieved their targets this season. It felt more like a testimonial for the departing stars than a Premier League match.
The Blues finally got ahead for the first time in the game when Remy struck his sixth goal of the season. A mazy run from Eden Hazard pulled apart the Sunderland defence, which let the substitute Remy find space 20 yards out to score. He and Costa rarely got a chance to start together this season, but they showed they could work in tandem in the second half of this one.
Remy then added the third of the game, when he buried a cross from Nemanja Matic. The Serbian’s ball in from the left fell for the forward just a couple of yards out and he applied the finish to wrap up the comeback here. While it wasn’t their best performance of the season, they still managed a winning end to the campaign. This win leaves Chelsea eight points ahead of City, who won with Frank Lampard scoring in his last ever Premier League game.
After the match the players and fans celebrated a great year as the league title was presented to Terry and the team. It gave the squad the perfect send off for the summer break, and the two departing legends a fitting finale to fantastic careers at the Bridge.
LCN Man of the Match: Eden Hazard