[Mhiz Rebecca]

Chelsea have been crowned 2016/2017 English
Premier League champions after edging West
Bromwich Albion 1-0 in a hard-fought game at the
Hawthorns on Friday.
Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi was the hero for
Chelsea as he pounced on Cesar Azpilicuerta’s ball
across goal to give Chelsea the win.
Super Eagles forward Victor Moses was in action for
Chelsea and went close on several occasions to give
Chelsea the lead before going off for Kurt Zouma late
in the game.
The game was Moses’ 33rd league appearances for
Chelsea this season, scoring three goals. It’s the
Nigeria star’s first Premier League title.
This is Chelsea’s sixth league title (1955, 2005, 2006,
2010, 2015) and their fifth in the Premier League era.
It is also their second EPL title in the last three
seasons.
The win took Chelsea to 87 points with two games to
play.
Chelsea had the game’s first big chance on 11
minutes through Eden Hazard but his low strike
inside the area was blocked by Gareth McAuley
before Ben Forster gathered the loose ball.
In the 16th minute Pedro Rodriguez went close for
Chelsea only to see his shot from the edge of the
area hit Johnny Evans before narrowly missing the
target.
Chelsea continued to probe for the opening goal and
it was Gary Cahill who tried his luck on 21 minutes
but saw his effort from the back post blocked by
Craig Dawson.
After surviving Chelsea’s early onslaught, West Brom
had their first chance on 28 minutes through Chris
Brunt whose effort was saved by Thibaut Courtois
after Evans had headed back Darren Fletcher’s left-
wing corner.
And in the 32nd minute Cesc Fabregas tried his luck
from 20 yards but his effort went inches wide.
Two minutes into the second half Moses almost
broke the deadlock with a low drive only for Foster to
deny him with a fingertip save.
Foster was called to action again on 53 minutes
through another effort from Moses from 25 yards
which he comfortably saved.
West Brom almost took the lead against the run of
play on 70 minutes through Salomon Randon who
turned David Luiz inside but his shot from 10 yards
came off a Chelsea defender and went away for a
corner.
Two minutes later Nacer Chadli went close for West
Brom but dragged his effort wide of the left post
following a counter.
Chelsea finally broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute
thanks to Batshuayi who got the final touch on Cesar
Azpilicuerta’s cross.
The game was halted in the 89th minute after fans
invaded the pitch.
And in the 91st minute Randon almost spoiled the
party for Chelsea but his low volley from close range
was well saved by Courtois.