WEST BROMWICH, England — Chelsea clinched the English Premier League at the first opportunity on Friday, beating West Bromwich Albion 1-0 through Michy Batshuayi’s 82nd-minute goal to take an unassailable 10-point lead.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte jumped into the arms of his fellow coaches near the dugout after Batshuayi — just on as a substitute — poked home a close-range finish from Cesar Azpilicueta’s cut-back.
It is a second top-flight league title in three seasons and sixth in total for Chelsea, which has led the standings since early November.
Conte became the fourth manager to win the Premier League in his first season in English soccer and he was thrown in the air by his celebrating players in joyous scenes.
The Italian has had the golden touch, and it extended to the title-clinching game.
Chelsea was being frustrated by a stubborn West Brom defending deep and in numbers, so Conte decided to take off Eden Hazard and Pedro Rodriguez and bring on Batshuayi — surprisingly — and Willian.
Six minutes later, the Belgium striker was scoring the biggest goal of his career and being mobbed by teammates in front of Chelsea’s jubilant visiting fans.
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It was only Batshuayi’s second league goal, and first since August.
"The beauty of football," Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas said, "a player who didn’t play a lot scores the winning goal for the championship."
It marked the end of a title race that has been dominated by Chelsea, with only Tottenham giving chase.
Spurs lost at West Ham 1-0 last week to give Chelsea three opportunities to clinch the league. They needed only one.
Chelsea has won 28 of its 36 games, including nine of its last 11 matches. It’s a remarkable turnaround for a club that finished 10th in the league last season in the worst-ever Premier League title defence.
"Consistently we have been the best team in the league," Chelsea defender Gary Cahill said. "There is no better feeling in football. People have written us off as a team and individually and this has shut them up."
Conte’s team has also reached the final of the FA Cup, where it will play Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 27.
Barkley scores as Everton beats Watford
LIVERPOOL, England — Ross Barkley gave Everton one more reason to try and keep him as the attacking midfielder scored in a 1-0 win against Watford in the English Premier League on Friday.
Given far too much space to receive Tom Davies’ pass, the England midfielder advanced before hitting a low, dipping shot in the 56th minute. Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes may have reached the ball had he not taken a step to his left as it was struck.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman said on Thursday that Barkley must sign a new deal by the final day of the season or he will be sold.
The Dutch coach, who is in his first season at Everton, has been outspoken all season about Barkley, urging him to make more of his talents.
Barkley, who has one more year left on his contract, eventually departed to a standing ovation with 10 minutes to go.
Everton stayed seventh — 16 points above eighth-placed West Bromwich Albion — while Watford in the 15th spot still needs a point for mathematical safety.
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