Chelsea cruised to a 5-1 victory over Sunderland with goals from Batshuayi, Willian, Pedro and Hazard in John Terry’s final Premier League game as Chelsea Captain.
With this victory, Chelsea set a new Premier League win record of 30 wins in a single league season, never before achieved in the PL era. Thibaut Courtois was also awarded the Golden Glove after Hugo Lloris conceded a goal in Tottenham’s victory against Hull City.
More than anything, it was a day to celebrate John Terry’s career and the fans with their banners and constant applause made sure that their legendary skipper would have the best send off possible.
It didn’t start on a positive note however, Chelsea had a minor scare after Javier Manquillo of Sunderland threatened to spoil the party with an early goal.
1-0 to Sunderland. #CHESUN
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 21, 2017
GOAL Chelsea 0-1 Sunderland (3 mins). Seb Larsson’s free-kick is deflected and falls into the path of Javier Manquillo, who fires in #CHESUN
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 21, 2017
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Sunderland pic.twitter.com/lkZQwnO60C
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) May 21, 2017
It was so unexpected, even Sunderland’s twitter handle referred to it as ‘bizarre’
4′ Bizarre start to the game! Larsson fired a free kick through the box and Manquillo pounced to stun the Blues
Chelsea 0 Sunderland 1
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 21, 2017
That lead didn’t last very long as Willian latched onto a deflected pass at the other end to fire Chelsea level.
Alonso thumped the post with a free-kick, Sunderland failed to clear the loose ball and eventually Willian fired home. #CHESUN
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 21, 2017
8′ Just like that the champions respond through Willian…
Chelsea 1 Sunderland 1
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 21, 2017
Normal service resumes , WILLIAN 1-1
— WeAreChelseaFC (@WeAreChelseaFC) May 21, 2017
Willian has scored 12 goals in all comps this season, the highest total in a single campaign in his career #PL pic.twitter.com/voQfKiLJyn
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 21, 2017
Willian for Chelsea this season:
Goals: 12.
Assists: 4. pic.twitter.com/kuMSNrOeKV— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStat) May 21, 2017
And in the 26th minute, John Terry was brought off for Gary Cahill to a standing ovation. The game was momentarily stopped as the players swarmed toward the Legendary Englishman for hugs and high fives, before he walked off the pitch with a personal guard of honour. End of an era.
John Terry’s magnificent Chelsea career ends after 26 minutes of his final match. A great defender. A real leader. And a winner.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 21, 2017
John Terry, number 26.
Off in the 26th minute.
It had to be. pic.twitter.com/txKtLVDgiM
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 21, 2017
Those stats ?
Is John Terry one of the best defenders we’ve seen in the Premier League?https://t.co/wU2mRw2bsF #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/HJhLyO2uX7
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 20, 2017
John Terry, we will honestly miss you. All the Chelsea fans are emotional. What a moment. Captain, Leader, Legend. #CFC pic.twitter.com/WCJ4v5UbOV
— ConteTweets (@ConteTweets) May 21, 2017
At the 26th minute of #CHESUN I got a lot of things in my eye. Like a lot. Still there even. #johnterry #chelseachampions #chelseafc
— JayJay Sandy (@BifocalDesign) May 21, 2017
Jersey no. 26.
Minute no. 26.Well done, Antonio. Well done. #CHESUN #CFCvSAFC #CFCLive
— True #0000ff (@OhOh255) May 21, 2017
John Terry’s Number 26 needs to be Retired #ThankYouJT #captainleaderlegend #CFC #CHESUN #JohnTerryStand
— Rory Suttie (@rorysuttie) May 21, 2017
Whoever came up with that plan for the sendoff – Conte, Cahill, intern in the PR department – deserves a new contract. #cfc #chesun
— The Pride of London (@PrideOLondon) May 21, 2017
Captain. Leader. Legend.
John Terry. #chelseachampions #CHESUN #PL #seanknows pic.twitter.com/brojGUpbfN
— Sean Cardovillis (@seancardo) May 21, 2017
Thanks JT#CFC #CHAMPIONS #KTBFFH pic.twitter.com/pjEQWCHo1B
— Pete S (@Pete11905) May 21, 2017
I’m hearing that the 26th minute substitution of John Terry was the captain’s own idea. Antonio Conte happy to go along wit it.
— Dan Levene (@danlevene) May 21, 2017
Eden Hazard very nearly tore the Sunderland net with a left foot strike into Jordan Pickford’s left-hand corner. 60 minutes played, 2-1.
GOAL! Eden Hazard puts Chelsea in the lead. 2-1. #CFC #CHESUN pic.twitter.com/QauSemxwb0
— CFC gifs (@chelskigifs) May 21, 2017
Hazard carried chelsea to a second pl title in 3yrs
Sanchez carried arsenal to Europa league
Levels pic.twitter.com/Fwfz6YnYy5
— Roland (@SupremoHazard) May 21, 2017
Eden Hazard is Chelsea’s top PL scorer at Stamford Bridge this season with 12 goals (in 19 apps), 1 more than Diego Costa #PL pic.twitter.com/S67mboYNlX
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 21, 2017
Pedro was brought on for Hazard and thanks to an error from Joleon Lescott, headed the ball in to make it 3-1 with 76 minutes played.
Fabregas lofted a pass over the top, Lescott headed the ball past Pickford and Pedro nipped in to head home, 3-1. #CHESUN
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 21, 2017
Pedro has been absolutely class this season! Unsung hero of this championship season #CFC #ChelseaChampions
— CFC Babble (@CFCbabble) May 21, 2017
Pedro makes it 3-1. Admire him as a player – tenacious and honest. That goal sums him up as he chases a lost cause to get his reward. #CFC
— Garry Hayes (@garryhayes) May 21, 2017
Farcical third. Lescott, who had done OK, nods a long ball over Pickford and Pedro nods in.
— Phil Smith (@Phil__Smith) May 21, 2017
Pedro has been directly involved in 12 goals in his last 15 Premier League home games.
6 goals ⚽️
6 assists ?️Brilliant at the Bridge. pic.twitter.com/lkCDexroN3
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 21, 2017
Then Michy Batshuayi decided to get in on the action. 2 superb goals in stoppage time from the Belgian and a fitting message to the boss that he too, ought to be considered for a place in the FA Cup final against Arsenal.
It’s three in three for Batshuayi, who latches on to a clever Pedro pass and slides the ball under the legs of Pickford, 4-1. #CHESUN
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 21, 2017
It’s three in three for Batshuayi, who latches on to a clever Pedro pass and slides the ball under the legs of Pickford, 4-1. #CHESUN
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 21, 2017
A Belgian has scored the decisive goal in each of the last 4 PL campaigns:
2014: Kompany
2015: Hazard
2016: Hazard
2017: Batshuayi pic.twitter.com/qxA9LXyVIS— The Football Pools (@footballpools) May 13, 2017
Michy Batshuayi has scored 5 goals in 239 minutes of Premier League football this season.
One every 47.8 minutes. ? pic.twitter.com/EHp4F5XoXV
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 21, 2017
Batshuayi deserves more of a chance next season! Would of scored at least around 11/12 league goals this season playing more often imo
— George (@GeorgeFcfc) May 21, 2017
Seems Chelsea has a perfect replacement for Costa in Batshuayi. Great player. Patient lad.
— Olaudah Equiano® (@Uruokpala) May 21, 2017
He hasn’t played many games but Batshuayi has still shown his quality regardless. Class player.. hope he becomes a big player here.
— ㅤ (@HazardEdition) May 21, 2017
Your favorite twitter merchant at it again ?
Looks like I can score a couple goals finally ??? …… ?— Michy Batshuayi (@mbatshuayi) May 21, 2017