Chelsea's 5-yr wait over

Eden Hazard scored the only goal as Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at a festive, sun-soaked Stamford Bridge on Sunday to claim their first Premier League title since 2010.

The Belgian headed in after Julian Speroni had parried his self-won penalty late in the first half to register his 19th goal of the season and carry Jose Mourinho's side over the line with three games to spare.

Chelsea moved 16 points clear of Arsenal, meaning they can no longer be caught.

"It's been five years since we've won it. The first one (in 2005) was special and when you go four or five years without it, it hurts. So I'll really enjoy it today," Chelsea captain John Terry said during a post-match interview.

The title success, the club's fifth in total, follows Chelsea's triumph over Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final and sets the seal on a campaign they have dominated.

Jose Mourinho sent his side out with a succinct message in the match-day programme -- "Three more points to be champions. Let's do it together."

It required a trademark, full-bodied block from Terry to prevent Jason Puncheon giving Palace the lead.

But on the cusp of half-time, Hazard, as he has done so often this season, supplied the breakthrough.

Despite minimal contact, James McArthur was adjudged to have impeded the Belgium forward in the penalty area.

Hazard took the penalty himself and although Speroni blocked his initial shot -- the first time he has failed to score from the spot in 10 attempts in the Premier League -- he followed in to head home.

Chelsea's fans spent part of the second half addressing odes to their club's former stars, but Thibaut Courtois had to save decisively from Zaha before the champagne could be uncorked.