Chelsea title win down to defensive improvement, says Thibaut Courtois

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says Chelsea's defensive know-how was a key factor in helping them win the title.

The 22-year-old has taken the Premier League by storm after returning from a loan spell with Spanish champions Atletico Madrid in August.

The Blues have conceded just 27 goals in the league this season and Courtois told Sky Sports how important he believed defensive stability was to securing a fifth Premier League crown.

Live Ford Super Sunday

"I think in the beginning of the season we were really offensive, and sometimes we were vulnerable on the counter attack," he said.

"I think the first three months, we had too many goals against us. If you want to be champions, it is important to defend well. You have to win a lot of games but know when to defend.

"You have to attack as a big team, and defend like a small team who plays against relegation.

"The last few games when we played against Arsenal, Crystal Palace and QPR, when we had difficulties to find those gaps to score, we still managed to win."

Courtois went on to suggest opposing fans did not like Chelsea being successful, and that comments were made about Jose Mourinho's side because they won the league.

"Maybe other teams and other supporters didn't like that," he added. "Obviously, because like that we became champions and they want us to lose.

"We were strong in the first six or seven months, scored lots of goals, but after that I think you have to know when to defend well."

Watch Courtois' full-length exclusive interview with Sky Sports on Super Sunday from 12.30pm, before watching Chelsea v Liverpool live at 4pm on Sky Sports 1 HD.