SOCCER/ ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:CHELSEA EXORCISED three seasons of frustration to claim the club's fourth league title in emphatic style with the captain, John Terry, insisting the championship must now inspire the Londoners to a period of sustained domestic dominance.
A blistering 8-0 victory, this club’s biggest success in the top flight, swelled Chelsea’s goals tally for the season to a staggering 140 in all competitions and 103 in the league alone. No side had achieved three figures in the division since Tottenham in 1963. Didier Drogba recovered from a first-half hissy fit at being denied the chance to take a penalty to register a second-half hat-trick.
The Ivorian ended the campaign with the Golden Boot for his 29 league goals though Chelsea, with the FA Cup and a potential first Double to come, have already fixed their sights on a prolonged period of success. “This feels magnificent,” said Terry. “It’s been three hard years seeing Manchester United lift it. We’ve got it back now and we need to do what United have done and maintain this success for a few years.
“Seeing them win it has been hard, but it’s ours again today. It’s been an up and down year, really tough, but we deserve it. Nothing could have made me more determined to win the trophy – I’ve been hurting inside for three years seeing United with it, and every one of us was sitting there feeling the same thing. It’s their turn to sit and watch today.”
Carlo Ancelotti had special praise for his captain, despite the off-the-field problems Terry has endured, and pinpointed the team’s 2-1 win at Old Trafford in April as key to tipping the title race in their favour.
“That improved our confidence and sent United down a little bit,” said the Italian. “As for John, he had some difficult moments, but he kept those personal issues outside the training ground. He had a fantastic season.
“A lot of times, he was the most important player on the pitch and showed good character. He was not the only leader we had, and all my players showed fantastic character. After this first year, I now hope to stay here a long time and win a lot of titles for this club.
“I think Chelsea will have a great future because these players are not so old and we have a very good squad, for next year and the years after.”
Chelsea arguably merited the trophy for their attacking prowess alone. This was the fourth time this season they have scored seven or more in the league, and they have plundered 41 goals in nine league games at Stamford Bridge since the turn of the year. Wigan had actually been the tidier side for long periods in the first half here until, at 1-0, Gary Caldwell was dismissed for tripping Frank Lampard to earn a penalty.
The award prompted a disagreement between Drogba and Lampard over who would take the kick, with the Ivorian sulking his way through the remainder of the half before Ancelotti pulled him together at the interval. The manager joked that he must be a “magician” to have coaxed the performance that duly yielded a second-half hat-trick from the forward.
“I understood [Lampard’s insistence] but, at the same time, was disappointed,” said Drogba. “I wasn’t happy, but now I know I was making a big mistake. Frank was right. I had to get over this frustration because I knew we’d have some chances in the second half.”
The achievement drew congratulations from rivals, with the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, claiming “the best team, and the best manager” had won the title in a far from subtle barb at Alex Ferguson.
Roman Abramovich joined the champagne-soaked celebrations in the home dressing room post-match with Ashley Cole, who had been watched by the England coach, Fabio Capello, basking in a first league title since his controversial move from Arsenal four years ago.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve won the league,” said the full-back. “It’s my first title at Chelsea. People said I hadn’t won a ‘big one’. Hopefully now everyone will get off my back and realise why I came here. We can make this a great year by going on to win the double.”
Lampard said: “This is right up there, the way we’ve done it and finished the season in such style. We deserved to come out on top in the end. The first two titles [under Jose Mourinho] we won relatively easily. They were very special because they were the first ones, but with the difficulties we’ve had this year, that was very, very special.”
Guardian Service
