Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0: Hazard brings title within touching distance

Mourinho has taken a game-by-game approach to the season and will refuse to get ahead of himself, but win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday week and Chelsea could be crowned champions at Leicester three days later.

Arsenal would have five games to play, but the Blues would have an unassailable 16-point lead and clinch the self-proclaimed Special One's third English championship following his successes in 2005 and 2006. Chelsea captain John Terry is adamant, however, that there is still work to be done.

When asked if the title was already in the bag, he said: "No, I don't think so. It was a massive win. We needed to win. It was a really tough game but we got the three points.

"They had the better possession. We have not been playing as well as we can of late and we done that today. I think we are doing enough, we have done all season. We were in our best form early on in the season and just before Christmas.

"We are still getting results and that's the mark of champions."

United, who began the day eight points behind, dominated the opening period, but their only chance of note saw Wayne Rooney shoot narrowly wide.

Hazard then showed why he is favourite for the PFA Player of the Year prize, netting his 18th goal of the season on the counter-attack following Oscar's fine flick. The strike, seven minutes before half-time, shifted the momentum of the contest in Chelsea's favour.

Juan Mata has been influential in recent weeks, but he was unable to inspire United on his first return to his old stomping ground. Kurt Zouma, meanwhile, fully justified his inclusion in midfield in combating the considerable threat of Marouane Fellaini.

United had reason to feel aggrieved when Ander Herrera was booked for diving when tripped by Gary Cahill in stoppage time. Referee Mike Dean ignored United's penalty appeals and Mourinho and Chelsea were able to celebrate a significant triumph.

Rooney started in central midfield to accommodate Radamel Falcao as one of three changes for injury-depleted United, but it was Chelsea who appeared to miss their absentees most early on.

United's start was strong enough for their central defenders to wander forward, with Chris Smalling strolling into midfield before a wild pass and Paddy McNair forcing a corner from his shot.

Chelsea were playing on the counter, but Drogba's pass towards Hazard, who was in a promising position, was intercepted.

De Gea met a hopeful cross with his fist on the edge of the area, with the goalkeeper given the benefit of the doubt.

The next contentious decision went Chelsea's way as Terry tackled Falcao, who had his back to goal. The ball went to Cesc Fabregas down the left and the masked playmaker fed Oscar, who exquisitely back-heeled the ball to Hazard. The Belgium forward surged into the left side of the area before slotting the ball under De Gea.

United boss Louis van Gaal made his displeasure known to fourth official Craig Pawson, but his complaints fell on deaf ears and Chelsea were transformed from submissive to dominant, epitomised by another physical challenge from Terry on Falcao.

Chelsea and Hazard came close to a second when Herrera gifted the ball to Nemanja Matic. Matic's through ball released Drogba, who held off Smalling to get a shot away which De Gea saved.

Hazard tried to acrobatically flick it in from an acute angle, but it hit the post.

Another McNair shot from 25 yards was deflected and saved by Thibaut Courtois and Mata next went close from Shaw's cross. Cahill blocked from Falcao, who had fired just wide, before United made changes in attack, with Mata and Ashley Young replaced by Adnan Januzaj and Angel di Maria.

Falcao got behind Zouma to latch on to Shaw's pass and struck the outside of the post. Herrera then went over just inside the box, with Cahill complaining.

Rooney was among the United players to express his displeasure towards Dean, but the official ruled in Chelsea's favour as the Blues moved within reach of the title.