With the title wrapped up, the final three games were a formality, just the aim of getting as many points as possible. First up was the exciting prospect of Liverpool giving us a guard of honour - including one Steven Gerrard on his final Stamford Bridge appearance for Liverpool...
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was given a first start for Chelsea as Mourinho made good on his promise to give more youngsters playing time. Filipe Luis and Zouma started as well as Obi Mikel and Remy as several changes were made. It didn't look like they mattered as John Terry gave us the lead after 5 minutes - heading home a Fabregas corner and making hin the Premier leagues highest scoring defender - which is an incredible achivement when you bear in mind that the player he overtook, David unsworth, mostly took penalties and free kicks where as Terry has not a single set piece goal.
Filipe Luis diverted a Coutinho shot wide shorty after and Mignolet pushed a Fabregas shot around the post. An early injury saw Zouma replaced by Cahill. Liverpool equalised before half time when - wouldn't you know it - Gerrard headed home Hendersons free kick. I'd say liverpool edged the second half as complacency and possible lack of motivation hit the already crowned champions, Lalanna and Coutinho going close with wide shots. Willian then also fired wide and Fabregas saw a shot comfortably saved - before with 13 minutes left came my favourite moment of the match. Gerrard subbed in his last ever Stamford Bridge appearance and the Chelsea fans gave him a standing ovation showing their class (he wouldn't have got that at Old Trafford). A late Coutinho shot almost fooled Courtois but the Belgian keeper made a save to deny Liverpool a late win. Afterwards Gerrard gave a funny interview addressing the standing ovation where he dismissed the gesture saying "It was nice of them (the Chelsea fans) to turn up for once". Ok, I guess he deserved that after all the stick we gave him, I do think footballers are allowed to give stick back to fans. I'd like to think the next day he was a bit more appreciative of that though. Overall I was happy with Loftus - Cheeks performance, he kept things neat and simple.
The next match away to West Brom was one to forget. Costa returned to the starting line up although Remy retained his place, moving out to the wide left. Matic came in for Obi Mikel and Cahill for Zouma. Loftus - Cheek retained his place. We had it all to do though after an early scare, as Berahino gave West Brom the lead with a brilliant goal, a right foot strike outside the penalty area into the bottom corner. Can't fault that. Hazard fire over the bar before a comedic moment saw Chelsea reduced to 10 men. Costa clashed with a couple of West Brom players and while the referee tried (and struggled) to restore order, Fabregas took the ball and pinned into straight onto Brunts head. It was quite funny and brilliant precision in fairness, but the referee saw it as a red card offfence and dismissed him. Chelsea though almost pulled themselves level when Filipe Luis saw a free kick saved by the keeper and at the other end Courtois saved low from Brunt. A minute into the second half and any hope of getting back into the match was dashed as Terry fouled Berahino who charged towards goal. Berahino himself took the penalty and made it 2-0. Chelsea best effort of the second half came when Remy struck a 20 yard shot against the post, while late on Brunt struck a powerful left foot strike home from a corner to make it 3-0. With the title in the bag I can't say I was too bothered though...
So then onto the final game against Sunderland with the chance to lift the trophy in front of the fans. Drogba annonced before the match he would be leaving Chelsea again - signalling his desire to play more regularly. He captained Chelsea today, Terry still started though, ensuring he has played every minute of Chelseas 38 game season. Cech came in as well so he could pick up a winners medal - will he be there next season I wonder? Willian started in place of suspended Fabregas and so did Cuadrado. Willian and Larsson each tested the keepers with a free kick and then Cech also kept out Defore before Sunderland took the lead. A Johnson corner was headed in at the far post by Fletcher. Shortly afterwards Chelsea made a substitution, but not just any substitution. Drogba having announced he was leaving was being withdrawn, having only just returned from an injury. All his team mates (Cech included) ran towards him to lift him up and carry him to the touchline where he was given a standing ovation by fans, staff and manager. It was a lovely moment as Stamford Bridge said goodbye to the player recently voted as its greatest ever player. Costa came on to replace him and it didn't take too long for him to make an impact. Cuadrado was sent tumbling by Rodwell inside the penalty area for a penalty - I might be wrong but I think it might be the most significant thing he's done since joining! Hazard could have taken it and gone level with Costa as top scorer, but he unselfishly gave it to Costa to get on the scoresheet for the first time since his injury at Hull two months agao - and the striker did not disapoint as he smashed home the penalty for 1-1. Cuadrado ended up being subbed for Remy before half time. As the second half started Remy almost opened the scoring but saw an effort deflect wide while a the other end, Azpilecueta cleared off the line from Defoe. Cahill saw a drive saved while Willian also went close before with 20 minutes left, Hazard gave one final reminder of why he has been the best player this season as he went on a run and fed Remy who slotted home. Youngster Christensen was brought on for Obi Mikel before Remy sealed the win as he finished off a Costa centre with minutes remaining.
Overall I think we've been the best team this season by far, in all competitions we've only lost four games, three in the premier league (one when we were already crowned champions) and one in the FA cup against Bradford. In the champions league we were knocked out on away goals by PSG so didn't actually lose in that competition. For next season, I think we still need to improve the squad - our rivals will most certainly improve there's. I'm hearing rumours that Falcao is being lined up as a replacement for Drogba - if that is true then I don't know what I think of that. He would only be our third choise striker of course but he didn't exaclty light up Old Trafford, but maybe Mourinho has other plans for him. I think Cuadrado for Schurrle was a bad bit of business if I'm being honest, although he may yet still come good. I think maybe another left back is needed and another midfielder - I'd go for Pogba but he will most likely be too expensive. It was nice to see more youngsters given a chance this year but still don't think it was done enough - I'd like to see more of that next season, especially Ruben Loftus - Cheek. I think the Bradford game and the manner of our performance in the second leg v PSG shows we do need to strengthen the squad. For that reason, I'd like Cech to stay, we could really do with that, but I'm hearing it is unlikely.
Below I've selected some of my highs and lows for the season - they are just my personal opinions though. Let me know if you agree or disagree.
Player of the season: John Terry
Goal of the season: Oscar v QPR
Most important goal: Fabregas v QPR
Most important game: Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
Best game of the season: Everton 3 - 6 Chelsea
One to watch: Loftus Cheek
Worst game: Chelsea 2 -2 PSG (due to the fact it was on my birthday)
Best game I went to: Chelsea 3 - 0 Tottenham
Favourite player: Eden Hazard
Team of the season: Courtois, Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilecueta, Matic, Fabregas, Hazard, Willian, Remy, Costa
Best chant: 'Fabregas is magic' followed closely by the Gerrard song which I didn't pick first due to it being over-done.
Shout out: Chelsea fans showing their class by giving Gerrard a standing ovation and Lampard after he scored against us - media did not bother praising us for either though
Thoughts for next season: Retain the league but do much better in champions league
Come on the Chels!
