Match Report: Hazard Impresses as Title Winners Chelsea Reaffirm Champions Tag against Sunderland

Chelsea received their third guard of honour of the campaign at Stamford Bridge on the final day of the season as Sunderland were welcomed to the home of the 2014/15 Premier League champions. The Black Cats avoided the furore of 'Survival Sunday' after drawing 0-0 with Arsenal on Wednesday night, a point in midweek enough to confirm their place in England's top tier next term. The Blues, meanwhile, looked to end a successful season with a bang as they strived to maintain their unbeaten home record in the Premier League this term.

The hosts came flying out of the blocks with Branislav Ivanovic having the first shot on the goal in the encounter in the capital, while at the other end Sebastian Larsson forced Petr Cech into a fine stop from a free kick from 25 yards. Ivanovic had his side's first effort on target after 15 minutes, forcing Vito Mannone into action with a rasping drive from distance. Jermain Defoe then dragged an effort wide for the away side as the fixture began to settle down as the first half neared the midway point.

Much to the surprise of the home side, Steven Fletcher opened the scoring for the visitors just before the half hour mark, heading in an Adam Johnson corner at the back post. The hosts were level with 10 minutes of the half remaining though as substitute Diego Costa, who replaced Didier Drogba on the half hour mark on his final appearance for the club, converted past Vito Mannone from the spot after John O'Shea had fouled Juan Cuadrado for a penalty.

Sunderland looked to restore their lead minutes after the restart when Johnson drove forward from halfway, but the winger could only find the stands as he let fly from 25 yards. Nemanja Matic came close to heading the Blues in front, while Jack Rodwell's effort was well stopped by Cech as both sides started the second half brightly. Cesar Azpilicueta was then forced to clear a Jermain Defoe shot off the line on the hour mark as Dick Advocaat's team looked to ruin the celebrations in west London. Mannone was then on hand to easily smother weak efforts from both Gary Cahill and Loic Remy in quick succession for the hosts on the hour mark to keep the score level.

Willian hammered an effort inches past the far post from 20 yards, before Loic Remy puts the hosts in the lead with 20 minutes to play. The excellent Eden Hazard drove through the middle and pulled back for the unmarked Frenchman, who found the back of the net from the edge of the area with a low strike. Willian almost doubled Chelsea's advantage, yet his bending effort curled just wide of the far past after he cut onto his right. The Brazilian then drew a fine save from Mannone as the Blues aimed to start the celebrations early at Stamford Bridge.

As the clock ticked towards the 90, Remy wrapped up the three points with a low finish at Mannone's near post after being picked out by Matic. “That's why we're champions,” rang out at Stamford Bridge following the striker's second, and Chelsea's third, of the afternoon. Victory was more than the Blues deserved on a day where they were the dominant side over large periods for the welcome of Sunderland. The win only reinforced why they are champions having ended the campaign as the only team who did not lose a home game this campaign.

It was perhaps fitting then that Hazard was the WhoScored man of the match in the 3-1 win over Sunderland. The Belgian has been by far and away the player of the 2014/15 Premier League season with his rating on Sunday in west London (8.96) the best of all players. While the attacker failed to get on the scoresheet, Hazard provided the assist for Remy's first, which conspired to be the winning goal against Sunderland. The 24-year-old played more key passes (8) and completed more successful dribbles (9) than any other player in the encounter, with no player perhaps more deserving of a Premier League winner's medal than Hazard.

That is not to say Sunderland don't warrant ample credit for a spirited performance in London, especially after a energy-sapping display at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. While the Black Cats had fewer shots on goal (17 to Chelsea's 24) that figure was still higher than their season average (10.6) this season. Advocaat has been widely praised for his efforts since he succeeded Gus Poyet at the Stadium of Light helm and deservedly so. It's no wonder fans are hoping he stays on for a least one more year due to the excellent work he has done for the club in his short time on Wearside.

Nevertheless, there was to be no robbing Chelsea of their moment at home as they exerted their dominance on an encounter they were expected to win. The Blues had a higher share of possession (63% to Sunderland's 27%), further accentuating their superiority against Sunderland and it's reasonable to suggest that they deserved to win by more than the two goals.

After being being awarded their fourth Premier League title, 'We Are The Champions' played out at Stamford Bridge and it's fair to say Chelsea deserved it more than any other team this term. After seeing their title charge effectively brought to an end by Sunderland at home last season - Jose Mourinho's only home league defeat during two spells in the Chelsea hotseat - it was somewhat poetic that victory over the Black Cats rounded off a commendable campaign for the Blues as they once again confirmed themselves as England's best.

Are Chelsea worthy winners of the 2014/15 Premier League season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below