WEST BROMWICH, United Kingdom (AFP) — Substitute Michy Batshuayi’s dramatic 82nd-minute winner gave Chelsea the Premier League title following a hard-earned 1-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion yesterday.

The Belgian striker’s late goal at The Hawthorns took Antonio Conte’s side 10 points clear of second-place Tottenham Hotspur, who have only nine points left to play for.It is Chelsea’s second title win in three seasons, their sixth in total, and comes at the end of former Juventus and Italy coach Conte’s first season as manager.“This is a great achievement for the players,” Conte told

Sky Sports in a pitch-side interview after breaking away from his players’ jubilant celebrations.“I thank them for their commitment and work rate. They showed me a great attitude to try to do something great this season,” he added.Batshuayi, the understudy to Diego Costa, had only been on the pitch for seven minutes when he scored the winning goal — his first in the league since August.“It’s good. It’s the best day for Chelsea today,” said Batshuayi, who arrived from Marseille last year in a £33.2-million (US$42.8 million, 39.1 million euros) transfer.Two years after Mourinho led Chelsea to the title, Conte has stitched the London club back together after dressing room unity unravelled under Mourinho during a horrendous title defence last season.The Italian’s side finally broke through West Brom’s stubborn resistance with eight minutes remaining and will now chase the double when they face Arsenal in the FA Cup final on May 27.Chelsea were almost stunned inside 30 seconds as West Brom created the game’s first chance.Darren Fletcher’s lofted pass found Salomon Rondon, and his flicked header drew a smart save from Thibaut Courtois.