Chelsea title ends hurt, says skipper Terry

Chelsea captain John Terry said his side had ended five years of hurt after they secured the Premier League title with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

“This is what I live for. It’s been five years since we’ve won it,” Terry told Sky Sports in an on-pitch interview at a jubilant Stamford Bridge.

“The first one (in 2005) was special and when you go four or five years without it, it hurts. So I’ll really enjoy it today.”

Chelsea prevailed thanks to a first-half penalty from Eden Hazard, which enabled them to establish an unassailable lead at the top of the table and claim a first English crown since 2010.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” added Terry, who has led Chelsea to four of their five English league titles.

“We’ve worked so hard, so to get over the line is great. It was a bit nervous. They are a good side and made it difficult. Thankfully Eden got the goal and we won the game.”

Terry also spared a thought for his former England defensive partner Rio Ferdinand, whose wife, Rebecca Ellison, died of breast cancer at the age of 34 on Friday.

“On behalf of myself and everyone at Chelsea, we send our condolences to Rio Ferdinand and his family,” said Terry, who was banned for four games for racially abusing Ferdinand’s brother, Anton, in 2012.