12th May 2017West Brom 0-1 Chelsea - 90+5'
It was a throw-in inside the West Brom half. You could sense the imminent victory in the air. 2500 away fans singing for the Champions of England, the substitutes already celebrating and the man who made it possible, Antonio Conte, just waiting to invade the pitch and bear hug his players.
The ball is back in play.... And Michael Oliver, the referee, says enough is enough. The blue half of London erupts in joy at another league title won in the Abramovich era.
Trending
Summer signing Michy Batschuayi had undergone a tough first season with a modest two-goal return for a hefty transfer fee and not much game time. But in the end, his name will go down in Chelsea history as the title clincher in a difficult away tie against a stoic Tony Pulis lineup. That goal in the 82' will be a moment frozen in time.
But was that truly the moment to be remembered? It's been known for a while that Chelsea would take home the honours. Tottenham had a great run to get themselves in contention, even coming within four points off the top.
But ever since Conte's men went on their imperious run of 13 straight league wins in late 2016, there has only been one horse in this race. Victories over United, City and Spurs highlighted a great period that ended when they lost at White Hart Lane.
It not only set the tone for the second half of the season but it also established a new paradigm of playing three at the back in England, something that few managers had tried and none had succeeded. So when Conte switched to it after a thrashing at the Emirates, pundits and fans alike were sceptical, to say the least.
In September, Chelsea were languishing in the eighth position, far off the title contenders as Guardiola’s Man City rattled off 10 wins on the bounce. Some change was needed with Costa uninspired, Hazard’s influence minimal and signings Marcos Alonso and David Luiz unsure of their role in the squad.
Conte turned to a system that he had used to great effect at both Juventus and with the Italian National team. Fortunately, smart summer recruitments of midfield dynamo Kante, sweeper centre-back Luiz and the emergence of wingbacks Alonso and Moses helped him in the transition perfectly.
First reverting to the back three in the second half against Arsenal, the effect was instantaneous. He continued with the system and results started showing up. The system was still a little shaky but they were picking up the points slowly and steadily.
Also Read: Key moments in Chelsea's title season
3rd December 2016Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea - 56'
The first 40 minutes were closely fought at the Etihad, with City's creativity largely nullified by Chelsea's efficiency. The three at the back were solid as well until a hopeful ball from Jesus Navas was poked into his own net by Gary Cahill just before half time.
Chelsea were visibly shaken and Guardiola's men pushed for a second goal after the restart, with De Bruyne denied at the near post and Aguero having his effort cleared off the line. In the 56th minute, City again carved open the Blues down the right flank. Navas rolled the ball off to the mercurial De Bruyne, the goal at his mercy.
The shot cannoned off the crossbar!
No one could believe it. Not even the Belgian himself.
And to make matters worse, within minutes Chelsea would equalise through Diego Costa. City came at them with all they had but the Blues held their fort. Eden Hazard and Willian then inspired them to go on and take the game 3-1. Chelsea moved four points clear at the top of the table and didn’t look back.
In a game, indeed a league, of fine margins you can't help but weigh the importance of that one moment. If that had gone in, City would have been 2-0 up and with that cushion, you would back a Guardiola XI to close out the game 10 times out of 10.
And consider the ramifications. If Guardiola had beaten the Conte's system, many other managers would have repeated the formula. Chelsea wouldn’t have gone four points clear and the title race would have been left wide open.
For all we know, it could have been a league title for Spurs, or perhaps Guardiola himself. He might have won the tactical battle, but Conte's system had won the game and subsequently the league. Looking back no one might remember how close City were to putting a stop to it. Who knows where we might be if that one had gone in?
Watch as Chelsea players celebrate Premier League glory in style
