Eden Hazard's goal on the stroke of half time was enough to win the Blues their fifth league title - and third under Jose Mourinho, who guided them to glory in 2005 and 2006 during his first spell in charge.

Chelsea players celebrate after the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in London on May 3, 2015 © Getty Images

With a 13-point cushion over Manchester City and Arsenal, there was limited anxiety inside a packed Stamford Bridge as the home fans knew that failing to win it today would simply postpone the party for another day.

The prospect of keeping that champagne on ice grew more realistic throughout a first half that saw the hosts toil at the finish line, with Nemanja Matic and John Terry spurning half chances to kick off the celebrations.

At the other end, Alan Pardew's side had no intention of gift-wrapping their London rivals the title, as Jason Puncheon looked poised to capitalise on a rare error from Terry but the Chelsea skipper recovered in the nick of time, while Joe Ledley volleyed wide in another warning sign from the Eagles.

Willian of Chelsea battles with Joe Ledley and Jason Puncheon of Crystal Palace during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on May 3, 2015 © Getty Images

Just when it seemed as though Palace had done enough to earn parity at the break, Hazard went to ground after being sandwiched by Adrian Mariappa and James McArthur and Kevin Friend pointed to the spot.

There was a hint of nerves from the recently-crowned PFA Player of the Year, who missed a Premier League penalty for the first time, having previously scored nine from nine, but the Belgian was on hand to head home the rebound as Mourinho's side clasped one hand on the trophy.

Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard celebrates with Chelsea's Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic after scoring during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in London on May 3, 2015 © Getty Images

On a weekend where another high-profile sporting event was settled by the cautious, yet measured approach of Floyd Mayweather in his victory over Manny Pacquiao, Mourinho also looked content to roll with the punches rather than pursue the knockout blow.

However, Palace came agonisingly close to yanking the blue and white ribbons off the trophy for this weekend at least, with Puncheon's effort whizzing narrowly wide of Thibaut Courtois's post on 70 minutes.

Chelsea could have wrapped it up on 80 minutes when Branislav Ivanovic blazed from over 12 yards, before Didier Drogba also spurned a fine chance moments later.

Neither miss proved enough to derail the Chelsea party, however, as the Blues reached the finish line with three games to spare.