A Pedro cross struck Chris Brunt's arm yet left referee Michael Oliver unmoved, and though Chelsea were dominant in possession, the hosts carried a threat on the break, which could have counted had James McClean's pass not forced Rondon to check his run.
"Then there's the threat Tony Pulis' team always poses from set-pieces".
"We are a great team only on paper, and not on the pitch", he said then, his bark reduced to a hoarse whisper.
While Tottenham have been eased out of the title race again, they have actually improved while being so.
Red cards for Chelsea players in league games this season.
Chelsea have now won five Premier League titles since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003, but this one is arguably the most impressive considering they finished a woeful 10th last season.
Three quick thoughts from Chelsea's 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Friday night at The Hawthorns, which sees the West London club win their second Premier League title in three seasons.
When his side thrashed Middlesbrough to condemn them to relegation at Stamford Bridge - a result that put the hosts on the brink of winning the league - Conte consoled his beaten opponents, shaking hands and applauding the travelling fans. For much of last season they seemed hell-bent on proving critics wrong and were angry.
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Eden Hazard had another effort blocked on the line but as Chelsea strained for the victor they began to look a little vulnerable at the back as West Brom gained in confidence.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte: "I think that now it's very important to enjoy this moment and to celebrate this win". A midfield axis of Kante with either Matic or Fabregas gives Chelsea the choice of sitting deep and hitting on the counterattack or taking the game to opponents. West Brom have executed their typical Pulisball gameplan of fouling, packing the box, fouling some more, complaining, fouling some more, time wasting, and fouling some more to perfection.
Mourino has also pointed to Chelsea's absence from European competition helping, so next season's return to the Champions League will certainly challenge Conte's working methods. Seven of the players have started at least 30 league games.
Chelsea has secured 87 points in the English Premier League table.
They have sat in eighth place throughout 2017, even briefly sitting as high as sixth when they beat Watford at home shortly before Christmas.
But Chelsea saw off the rest long ago and as such it is the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United who have the greatest strides to make now.
Antonio Conte would be only the fourth manager to lift the Premier League trophy in his first season in England, emulating Jose Mourinho in 2004-05, Carlo Ancelotti in 2009-10 and Manuel Pellegrini in 2013-14.
Probability of away win: 55%.
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