Jose's verdict on Crystal Palace

Jose Mourinho explained how difficult it is to achieve targets on the season’s final day – and how it was time to ‘control the game in a different way’ in the second half as we drew 1-1 against Crystal Palace to secure European qualification for next season on Sunday.

Needing to better Wolves’ result at Chelsea to secure sixth place in the Premier League, we started well at Selhurst Park and led early via a typically clinical finish from Harry Kane after good work from Giovani Lo Celso. That was Harry’s 18th goal in the Premier League and 24th in 34 appearances in all competitions this season.

We had chances to extend that lead but Palace were always in it and levelled on 53 minutes when Jeffrey Schlupp fired home from close range after a corner.

That’s when Jose got the nod that Chelsea were 2-0 up at Stamford Bridge and we saw the game out from there knowing a point was enough.

“It’s very difficult to play the last game when you play everything in one game,” said Jose. “It doesn’t matter what you play for – relegation, promotion, Europe, to be champions – the last match is always hard.

“I played one game with Inter, the last game of the season, to be champion, and it’s dramatic, so the players never perform the same – huge pressure, it’s never easy.

“Today was not easy and when Palace scored, it was the time for me to want to know what was going on at Stamford Bridge and when I was told 2-0 (Chelsea beating Wolves), I thought that’s the moment, also I didn’t feel the team was really strong to attack the victory.

“I made a decision then that we needed to control the game in a different way, to get the point, qualify, and goodbye season. Goodbye season and we go to the Europa League draw.”