For most of this match if looked like the Blues would need to wait until at least Sunday to re-claim their top-flight crown, but super sub Batshuayi scrambled off the bench to net only his second Premier League goal of the season.
Before this game the 23-year-old Frenchman had only mustered 109 top-flight minutes in 17 appearances this season, but made sure he will be remembered for more than mere cameos by scoring the goal that brings a season of Chelsea dominance to a worthy close.
Only Manchester United (13) have won more Premier League titles than Chelsea (5)
The Blues huffed and puffed on the night, but were rewarded for their persistence by scoring with their 23rd shot of the match as Batshuayi finished off from Cesar Azpilicueta's cutback. Interestingly, thisis the third season in a row that a Belgian had scored the title-winning goal.
For most of the night they were frustrated: in the second half, Eden Hazard saw a deflected cross agonisingly saved off the line after he'd rounded Ben Foster and put in a menacing ball which hit two players before being stopped by substitute Claudio Yacob.
But all's well that ended well, and Chelsea are top-flight champions for the sixth time in their history.
More Opta facts...
- Chelsea are the first club to win the English top-flight title on a Friday since Arsenal at Anfield in 1989
- Antonio Conte is the fouth Italian manager to win the English top-flight title after Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto Mancini and Claudio Ranieri
- Conte is the fourth manager to lift the Premier League trophy in his first season in England (Jose Mourinho 04/05, Carlo Ancelotti 09/10, Manuel Pellegrini 13/14)
- The Italian has won the league title in four successive seasons as a club coach (also won Serie A in 11/12, 12/13 & 13/14)
