Mathematics are one thing, destiny is quite another. Although Chelsea are still within striking distance of Arsenal and Manchester United at the top of the Premiership, with games running out England's major prize is now unlikely to be housed at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Gianluca Vialli neglected the chance to prolong a three-horse race by failing to capitalise on Alex Ferguson's troops' failure to reap full reward from a visit across the Pennines earlier in the day. While United had been up against Yorkshire's pride, Chelsea were supposedly facing Yorkshire's pudding.
But having been criticised for a lack of passion at Old Trafford last week during a meek 3-0 defeat, Sheffield Wednesday fought to such an extent that the visitors failed to test goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek at all.
The season that promised so much for Chelsea appears to have spluttered to a halt. Failure to hold on to a two-goal lead against Leicester and an inability to score against Mallorca in midweek, when they were knocked out of the Cup Winners' Cup, visibly affected their play.
"After two disappointing results during the week we gave a good reaction, but not good enough to win the game," admitted Vialli. "We had to win the game and we did our best. The last two games we have played were quite demanding and the disappointment at the end of the games against Leicester and Mallorca put us in a difficult mental position.
"At the moment Arsenal and Manchester are a little bit better than us and that's why they are three or four points ahead of us. I think we have a great squad and great players but we have to be a bit more clinical."
Vialli's side had started brightly with teenager Mikael Forssell, in for Norwegian Tore Andre Flo who was on international duty, having an effort deflected off Des Walker and over the bar after 60 seconds.
Vialli himself cushioned a header into the side netting from a Celestine Babayaro centre shortly before the interval, but neither side displayed a killer instinct.
Wednesday should have compounded Vialli's feelings of frustration early in the second half. Republic of Ireland international Mark McKeever, who caused quite a stir in his recent loan spell at Reading, failed to make a splash in the deeper Premiership waters, screwing a volley over the bar when well placed.
Albert Ferrer and Bernard Lambourde made important interceptions inside their own area as Chelsea's insecurity spread from the front to the back and the home side may have stolen the points at the death through the mercurial Walker.
The former England centre back galloped 60 yards into the opposition area only to fall flat on his face in the process of shooting.
For a split second Wednesday manager Danny Wilson had envisaged a third home win against a top-three side, having beaten Arsenal and Manchester United, "but only for a split second".
A point virtually ensured another top-flight season for Wilson's Owls, and he is encouraged by the chance of his side taking flight in next season's UEFA Cup.
Wednesday are set to win England's Fair Play award and while Wilson admits their potential passage is harsh on sides on the fringes of qualifying for Europe through league position, he is enthused by the prospect.
"It's disappointing for other managers who are fifth and sixth, who are going for Europe and for them it's hard to take but that's not the fault of Sheffield Wednesday.
"It's not us who make the rules. If we are given presents like that, we will take them every week." It doesn't take a mathematician to realise, football can deal both the greatest and cruellest of fates.
Sheffield Wed: Srnicek, Atherton, Walker, Thome, Stefanovic, Alexandersson, Jonk, Sonner, McKeever, Booth (Cresswell 80), Carbone. Subs Not Used: Pressman, Newsome, Cobian, Haslam. Booked: Booth.
Chelsea: Hitchcock, Ferrer, Leboeuf, Desailly, Babayaro, Lambourde, Poyet (Newton 59), Wise, Goldbaek, Vialli, Forssell (Zola 46). Subs Not Used: Duberry, Nicholls, Kharine. Booked: Babayaro, Ferrer. Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).
