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Jose Mourinho and Chelsea felt Premier League title was theirs 'months ago'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho
Image: Jose Mourinho: Has won his third Premier League title with Chelsea

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said his side felt the Premier League title was theirs "months ago".

The Blues will lift the trophy live on Sky Sports following their clash with Sunderland on the final day of the season, after their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace sealed the title with three games to spare.

Mourinho believes his side showed their credentials in the early part of the season, and he told Soccer Special there was always a belief they would win the league.

“We started in a way where we felt it was going to be, because we started very well – not just winning matches, but scoring goals, playing beautifully, dominating opponents,” he said.

“We were very, very dominant in the first part of the season, and when you’re in front you can allow yourself to make a couple of mistakes.

“We never did it twice in a row, so when we lost our first match after that match we won. When we lost our second match, after that we won again, and when we lost our third match it was too late because we were already champions.

Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (C) celebrates after scoring during the match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in London
Image: Eden Hazard's goal against Crystal Palace clinched the title

“With this mental consistency, this mental strength, the team was always very confident.

“We clinched the title two or three weeks ago, but we felt like champions many months ago.”

Mourinho’s men have won 25 league games this season, but the Chelsea boss identified something in one of their defeats as a key moment.

“John Terry’s goal against Tottenham was important because it was the only moment where we could lose first position.

“Because of that goal we kept first position on goal difference, and that goal allowed us to be first from the first day to the last day.”

Watch the full interview with Jose Mourinho on Gillette Soccer Special from 12pm, Sunday on Sky Sports News HQ, and see Chelsea v Sunderland from 2pm on Sky 1 HD, or on the red button on Sky Sports 1 HD.

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