Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was delighted after his side's late win against Everton at Stamford Bridge.
Willian's 89th minute goal made sure Chelsea kept their seven-point lead at the top of the table and Mourinho admits his team had to work hard to take all three points against a determined Everton side.
"I don't remember a team that were champions without a couple of victories in the last minute, in my case for sure," Mourinho said.
"Every time I've won a league title I had a couple of matches where I won in the last minute. That was the first time for us this season.
"It was a very difficult match, it was a different Everton and when I say that I mean it as a compliment. They played with a low block and defended very well.
"They gave us the ball and used Lukaku to attack the spaces. They were a very difficult opponent and I'm so happy with the three points."
Goalkeeper Petr Cech was Chelsea's regular goalkeeper for the game and the Portuguese says fatigue was the reason behind his decision to start with the 32-year-old.
"[Thibaut] Courtois played consecutive matches, against Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa, games where he needed to be very focused," he said.
"Every detail is so important, even when he doesn't touch the ball, the focus must be permanent and I think a goalkeeper can also be tired.
"The tiredness isn't just physical, it's also from your nervous system.
"Petr has been working really well and hard. In every training session I was getting the feeling his condition was magnificent. Tonight he was the best option for the team, also in terms of leadership.
"John Terry was ill this morning and he was probably out of the game until the last minute, so I thought I needed Petr's personality and capacity to communicate at the back. The decision was good."
