Source: Team_Talk
Ruthless Blues lick Latics to lift crown
Chelsea clinched the Premier League title and set a new goalscoring record with a stunning 8-0 destruction of 10-man Wigan at Stamford Bridge.[LNB] Coach Carlo Ancelotti guided the Blues to their first Championship success since 2006 in his debut season in England as Chelsea took their tally to 103 goals - the highest in the Premier League since Manchester United in 2000 and the first to achieve the century since Tottenham in 1962/3.[LNB]United's victory over Stoke at Old Trafford was irrelevant as the Blues finished the season one point clear of their rivals.[LNB]Ancelotti's side smashed home seven or more goals for the fourth time this season as Wigan, who had defender Gary Caldwell sent-off on the half-hour, simply capitulated.[LNB]A hat-trick from Golden Boot winner Didier Drogba, who finished the season with 29 league goals, two from Nicolas Anelka, a Frank Lampard penalty and others from Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole, left Chelsea champions and on the brink of a League and FA Cup Double.[LNB]Only Portsmouth now stand in their way of a history-making season for Ancelotti and his team.[LNB]The Blues will become only the seventh team in the history of the game to win both competitions if they can overcome Avram Grant's side at Wembley next week.[LNB]The Blues were given the best possible start by France hitman Anelka.[LNB]The striker, expected to sign a new two-year contract once the season is over, collected a knock down from Florent Malouda to fire past Wigan goalkeeper Mike Pollitt.[LNB]Wigan boss Roberto Martinez caused a stir by playing three in defence and for the next 25 minutes they gave Chelsea and their fans some anxious moments.[LNB]But the game changed on a pivotal penalty on the half-hour when Lampard was clearly brought down by Wigan defender Caldwell.[LNB]Referee Martin Atkinson then produced the red-card for the unfortunate centre-half.[LNB]Drogba, chasing the Premier League Golden Boot and level on 26 goals with United's Wayne Rooney, asked Lampard to let him take the spot-kick but the England international rejected his request.[LNB]Drogba was distinctly unhappy with Lampard's answer and had to be calmed down by other members of the Chelsea side.[LNB]Lampard duly put the penalty into the bottom corner to leave Chelsea in control of their own destiny at half-time. [LNB]In the 54th minute the title was sealed as Lampard and Kalou combined for the Ivory Coast international to almost walk the ball into the net.[LNB]Two minutes later Chelsea's fans were in dreamland when a cross from Branislav Ivanovic was volleyed home at the far post by Anelka.[LNB]With the title now Chelsea's, the only remaining issue to be settled was Drogba and his hunt for the Golden Boot.[LNB]That was settled in the 63rd minute when the Ivorian rose highest at the far post to head Lampard's cross into the net and make it 5-0.[LNB]It got better for Drogba five minutes later when Cole was brought down and Lampard tossed the ball to Drogba so he could take the penalty.[LNB]The Ivorian's spot-kick went in off the post but it mattered littler to Drogba who had taken his tally to the season in the league to 28.[LNB]Ancelotti was hailed by the home fans and for the first time in the game the Italian responded by waving to the supporters chanting his name.[LNB]Drogba completed his hat-trick 10 minutes from the end of the game as Chelsea made it seven in a game for the fourth time this season.[LNB]Substitute Joe Cole's shot was parried by Pollitt but the ball fell kindly to the lurking Drogba who tucked it home for his 29th league strike of the season.[LNB]The goal sparked more cheering of Ancelotti but Wigan, who had not tested Petr Cech at all during the one-side contest, finally forced him into action when the Czech international tipped a goalbound shot from substitute Victor Moses over the bar in the 87th minute.[LNB]Cole completed the rout when he volleyed home in the final minute to make it 8-0 and as the champagne was sprayed over Ancelotti, the Italian had clearly banished the ghost of Jose Mourinho.[LNB]The day belonged to Ancelotti and his attacking side as Chelsea were crowned deserved champions for the fourth time in their history.
