Chelsea

The result ensured the Blues became the first side in a 38-game season to win 30 games.

And Antonio Conte will seek to end his first season as head coach with a double with victory in next Sunday's FA Cup final with Arsenal.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich joined in as Conte was praised for presiding over the restoration of a team which finished 10th last season in defence of the title.

Conte handled captain John Terry's abdication respectfully.

The experienced defender was handed a rare start as Antonio Conte made nine changes compared to the team that clinched the Premier League title against West Brom on Friday and he enjoyed an eventful first half.

Terry opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a finish from close range, only to inadvertently set up Etienne Capoue for the equaliser with a poor clearance two minutes later.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Michy Batshuayi then struck either side of half-time to hand Chelsea a two-goal lead, only for Daryl Janmaat to pull one back.

Diego Costa gave the hosts the lead after 23 minutes at Stamford Bridge, recording his 20th league goal of the season.

Marcos Alonso soon doubled Chelsea's advantage and Nemanja Matic completed the scoring after the interval to wrap up a comprehensive victory, relegating Middlesbrough in the process.

Chelsea will now be crowned champions for the second time in three seasons if they win at West Brom on Friday after picking up a maximum three points for the 15th time at home this season.

Second-half substitute Hazard smashed home from just inside the box on 75 minutes before Matic's stunning hit sealed victory over their Premier League title rivals.

Willian, who replaced Hazard in a number of surprising changes by Antonio Conte, twice put the Blues ahead - the first a free-kick (5) and the second a well-taken penalty (43) that ensured they led at the interval.

Marcus Rashford's early strike and a deflected Ander Herrera effort were the difference between the teams on Sunday, as the gap between Antonio Conte's men and Tottenham in second place remains at four points with six games to play.

However, Chelsea, who have been top since November 5, appear to have an easier run-in than Spurs as they don't have to face any of the top six, while the north Londoners have home matches against Arsenal and United.

Goals by Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera sank Chelsea and, with six games left for the top two, there is little room for any more slip-ups by Antonio Conte's side who a few weeks ago looked like they were running away with the title.

While Chelsea remain favourites to win the league, Conte will be concerned about the manner of the defeat at Old Trafford where they were rarely able to turn possession into chances.

The hosts took the lead in fine style in the fifth minute. Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas combined to create an easy chance for Fabregas to convert, as they looked on course for a 14th home win in a row.

However, two goals in 91 seconds sensationally turned the match on its head as Wilfried Zaha brilliantly equalised in the ninth minute, before Christian Benteke cheekily chipped the ball over Thibaut Courtois to give Palace the lead.

Arsene Wenger said the Gunners "missed the first half" against the Hornets and were not "ready for the challenges" as they were beaten 2-1 at the Emirates.

The defeat was Mustafi's first since joining in the summer, and leaves the Gunners nine points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea ahead of their meeting on Sky Sports on Saturday.

It is understood he has not trained with the first-team for the last three days after he was the subject of a £30m-per-year offer from a club in the Chinese Super League.

Sky sources understand the Spain striker has become unsettled by the approach from China, which would make him one of the highest paid footballers in the world, and he became embroiled in an argument with two fitness coaches.

Conte then stepped in and, according to Sky in Italy, the row ended with the Italian shouting: "Go to China!"

An independent commission has disclosed why Chelsea and Manchester City were fined following a fracas on the pitch last month, in written reasons published by the FA.

Both clubs admitted a charge for failing to control their players in added time of the Premier League game on December 3 last year, but requested a personal hearing with the commission.

Chelsea won 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium, with Manchester City's Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero sent off during the fracas.