Eight-goal Chelsea storm to fourth title

Chelsea FC denied Manchester United FC a fourth consecutive Premier League title, cruising to an 8-0 success against Wigan Athletic FC to depose Sir Alex Ferguson's men on the final day of the season.

One point ahead of the Old Trafford club at the start of play, Carlo Ancelotti's charges were in no mood to surrender their advantage and wrapped up their third crown in six years by scoring at least seven goals at home for the fourth time in the league this season.

The die was cast when Nicolas Anelka fired in a sixth-minute opener and Frank Lampard (32) added a second from the penalty spot in an incident that saw Gary Caldwell dismissed. The ten-man visitors were then put to the sword after the interval, Salomon Kalou exchanging passes with Lampard before slipping in the third and Anelka's wonderful volley making it 4-0.

Didier Drogba then took centre stage. The striker headed in the fifth – Chelsea's 100th league goal of the campaign – before going on to complete his hat-trick and secure the Premier League Golden Boot with his 29th of the season. Ashley Cole added the eighth in added time to give the Blues their record league win. The London club will now aim to complete the double when they meet Portsmouth FC in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Manchester United, therefore, were forced to settle for second despite beating Stoke City FC 4-0, Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs scoring in the first half before Danny Higginbotham's own goal and an effort from Ji-Sung Park. Below them, Arsenal FC wrapped up third spot by beating Fulham FC 4-0, with Tottenham Hotspur FC forced to settle for fourth after a 4-2 reverse at Burnley FC.

Elsewhere, Manchester City FC, who drew 1-1 at West Ham United FC, will be joined in the UEFA Europa League play-offs by Aston Villa FC, who lost 1-0 at home to Blackburn Rovers FC. Liverpool FC will enter that competition a round earlier after collecting a goalless draw at Hull City AFC.