John Obi Mikel became the second Nigerian player to win the prestigious English Premier League twice after helping Chelsea tame Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Chelsea went into the game needing a win to record their fourth title in 10 years, with four games left to spare.
PFA player of the year, Eden Hazard followed up the rebound from his spot kick in the second half to seal the title for the Londoners. Mikel was a second half substitute, along with young French defender, Kurt Zouma, as Jose Mourinho tried to protect his team’s lead.
The win took Chelsea to 80 points, 13 points ahead of second-placed Manchester City on 67 points with just 4 games left to go.
Mikel becomes the second Nigerian after Kanu Nwankwo to win the EPL twice.
Kanu first won the EPL title with Arsenal in 2001 and was also part of the team that finished the season unbeaten in 2004 when the North London side were at the zenith of English football.
Mikel has now won 2 EPL titles, 4 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 1 Community Shield, 1 UEFA Champions League and 1 UEFA Europa League during his time at Chelsea to emerge as the second most-decorated Nigerian footballer ever behind Kanu Nwankwo.
According to Jake Cohen on twitter (@jakefcohen), “Of current PL players, I think only Wayne Rooney(12) has won more trophies before turning 30 than John Obi Mikel(11).
