Eden Hazard headed in the rebound after seeing his first-half penalty saved by Julian Speroni to seal Mourinho’s third English championship – drawing him level with Bill Shankly, Arsene Wenger and Stan Cullis – and first of his second spell.

Chelsea, by the Portuguese’s own admission, became “more strategic, less artistic” as the title neared, with detractors labelling the Blues “boring”.

Mourinho, who values substance over style, dismissed those who had the temerity to criticise his side.

“We do everything that the team needs,” Mourinho said. “That’s why we deserve so much to be champions. And I think everybody knows that.

“And the ones that have a big face to say we don’t deserve are the ones that in my country we say: the dogs bark and the caravan goes by. (It’s) easy is to be a pundit, because as a pundit you win every game.”

Terry took the opportunity to criticise former interim manager Rafael Benitez for writing him off.

The skipper will on May 24 lift the Premier League trophy for a fourth time before a west London parade the following day.

Terry appeared to be being phased out during Benitez’s short reign in 2012/13, but has been revived by the return of long-time mentor Mourinho and featured in every minute of all 35 Premier League games this term.

“One person said I couldn’t play twice in a week. He knows who he is,” Terry, who in March signed a one-year contract extension until the end of next season, told Sky Sports.

“I have proved him wrong as I’m still fighting, still in the side and feeling great.”

Mourinho returned for a second spell as Chelsea boss in June 2013 and now in his second season has won the Capital One Cup and the Premier League, taking his personal trophy tally to 22.

“When you go back to a place where you had success before you risk a little bit your prestige, your history. I risked it,” Mourinho added.

“Now I can say I won titles for Chelsea with two different generations, separated by almost a decade.”

Mourinho is two years into a four-year contract of his second spell and received the congratulations of owner Roman Abramovich afterwards.

“Just a hug and a hug means more than words,” Mourinho added.

Palace boss Alan Pardew felt the penalty award, for a foul on Hazard, was “questionable” and that his side might have had their own spot-kick when Terry blocked a Jason Puncheon shot.

“I do feel a little bit hard done by,” Pardew said. “It was kind of questionable. Then they get another break when he misses it and it goes straight to him.”