LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea captain John Terry said his side had ended five years of hurt after they secured the English Premier League title with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

"This is what I live for. It's been five years since we've won it," he told Sky Sports in an on-pitch interview at a jubilant Stamford Bridge.

"The first one (in 2005) was special and when you go four or five years without it, it hurts. So I'll really enjoy it today."

Chelsea prevailed when Eden Hazard, after seeing his penalty saved by Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni, followed up to head in on the stroke of half-time.

Victory enabled Jose Mourinho's side to establish an unassailable, 16-point, lead at the top of the table and claim a first English crown since 2010.

"It's an unbelievable feeling," added Terry, who has led Chelsea to four of their five English league titles.

"We've worked so hard, so to get over the line is great. It was a bit nervous. They (Palace) are a good side and made it difficult.

"Thankfully, Eden got the goal and we won the game."

Hazard, recently voted player of the year by England's Professional Footballers' Association, said: "We deserve to be champions, and everyone at Chelsea is happy today.

"The manager (Mourinho) gives me a lot of feelings and I can play my best football on the pitch which is the most important thing.

"I know the team need me and a player like me. I am here to score, and this season, all the players did well."

Veteran Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, like Mourinho in his second spell at Stamford Bridge, said: "This one is sweet. Chelsea will always be my number one club.

"It's my third time to win it in front of the fans and it's amazing."

Meanwhile Terry also spared a thought for his former England defensive partner Rio Ferdinand, whose wife, Rebecca Ellison, died of breast cancer at the age of 34 on Friday.

"On behalf of myself and everyone at Chelsea, we send our condolences to Rio Ferdinand and his family," said Terry, who was banned for four games for racially abusing Ferdinand's brother, Anton, in 2012.