Chelsea beat United to retain title
Chelsea have retained the Premiership title after consigning second-placed Manchester United to a 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge but the game was overshadowed by serious concerns over Wayne Rooney's fitness after he took a tumble.
William Gallas gave Jose Mourinho's Blues the perfect start after just five minutes in their final home game of the campaign before Joe Cole and Ricardo Carvalho got the champagne corks truly popping in west London.
And, a delighted Mourinho, who threw his jacket and two Premier League winners' medal into the crowd, said: "It's a fantastic feeling. We know one day we will have to lose the championship but successive Premierships is difficult.
William Gallas gave Jose Mourinho's Blues the perfect start after just five minutes in their final home game of the campaign before Joe Cole and Ricardo Carvalho got the champagne corks truly popping in west London.
And, a delighted Mourinho, who threw his jacket and two Premier League winners' medal into the crowd, said: "It's a fantastic feeling. We know one day we will have to lose the championship but successive Premierships is difficult.
"Manchester United have been magnificent and today doesn't show how difficult they made it for us. Of course, we deserve to win the title."
The victory took Chelsea 12 points clear of Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils with just two games to play and Mourinho added of his men claiming the title in front of a 42,000-sell-out at Stamford Bridge: "I said to the team before that we cannot allow a team to come here and let the cup go (to another team). United look likely to finish second in the table, although defeat means Liverpool are now within range."
Rooney had to be stretchered off, clutching his precious right foot in apparent agony, after a 78th-minute challenge with Paulo Ferreira - earlier Rooney's first-half challenge on England team-mate John Terry left the Chelsea captain with a foot injury but he was determined to play on and savour the Blues' second title success.
And Terry said after the title celebrations at Stamford Bridge had begun: "There was no way I was coming off... What a season! To retain the title is absolutely fantastic.
"We found it more difficult going to places and getting results but we dug in and did it again. That's the best atmosphere I've ever seen at the Bridge. That's a great result against a great side."
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, who failed to add to his impressive tally of goals this season, dedicated the title win to the Stamford Bridge support.
Lampard, who is already looking forward to next season, added: "This is a special day for them. We're getting stronger. The cup competitions - that can happen."
Ferguson, meanwhile, felt that his Manchester United stars were punished for failing to take their chances against the champions.
The 64-year-old Scot said after seeing Chelsea claim the title for the second season in a row: "It was harsh. It didn't reflect the run of the game.
"We had a lot of the play and made some good chances - Edwin van der Sar has not made a save and their keeper has made good saves.
"We had opportunities and missed them and if you miss them against Chelsea with the record they have here you deserve to be beaten."
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