Chelsea fully deserved this title

There are detractors, with words to say about how some matches have been closed down – but Chelsea have utterly dominated the Premier League this season.

A huge points lead – likely to be somewhere between the biggest (18 points) and second biggest (11) in the history of the competiton.

Just two defeats, using six of the 11 best players in the league, according to the men who play the game.

Chelsea completely justified their champions tag. Nobody has come even close to challenging that.

We've seen it before...

A nervy, well below par finish. Opposition from south of the river. A dreadful penalty. A save...

We saw it all in Chelsea's Premier League title winning party against Charlton in 2006.

That day it was Claude Makelele. Today it was Eden Hazard – the result was the same.

The earlier version of that spot kick, of course, had a bit of comedy about it.

This one just showed the talent that resides in the petit frame of Premier League's best player.

Mourinho built that earlier title winning side around Makelele. This one is entirely Hazard's support act.

Crystal Palace's Jordon Mutch clashes with Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic as Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho looks on

Stamford Bridge loves a party

As the game came to a close, the fans started a roll call of past heroes – Frank Lampard, Gianfranco Zola, Peter Osgood, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

And then, once the whistle had gone, once the streamers had gone up, once the Rocksteady beat of Madness piped up – it was One Step Beyond.

Stamford Bridge bounced – and they will be bouncing in the pubs around Chelsea and Fulham all night. And probably all day tomorrow.

Eden Hazard scores the first goal for Chelsea after having his penalty saved

This Chelsea side could go on to dominate

We said it back in 2005, and again in 2006 – then things went off-plan.

But Jose Mourinho has rebuilt this side as one with bags of potential. It is young, and it is now more balanced than it has been since he left the place.

If he and Roman Abramovich can stay as friends, and there is no sign of cracks in that relationship at present, Chelsea's name could end up croping up again and again on the Premier League trophy.

If...

Chelsea's Willian in action with Crystal Palace's Joe Ledley and Jason Puncheon

Now pre-season begins

With the title in the bag, Chelsea are now free to experiment.

People have been calling for youth all season – and this is when it comes into the frame.

Chelsea's youngsters have this season won both the UEFA Youth League and the FA Youth Cup.

With the revised home grown rules for next term, they will have to play a part. Here is where Mourinho starts readying them for that.