Chelsea wrapped up their second consecutive Premiership title in style by beating nearest rivals Manchester United 3-0 in front of their own supporters on Saturday.
An early goal from French defender William Gallas was followed by superb second-half strikes from man-of-the-match Joe Cole and centreback Ricardo Carvalho as Chelsea emphatically underlined their current domination of English football.
The jubilation at Stamford Bridge in London was mirrored at Wigan’s JJB Stadium, where Portsmouth came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory that secured Premiership survival for the south coast club and condemned both Birmingham and West Brom to relegation.
Benjani Mwaruwari was Pompey’s hero. After nodding in a 63rd-minute goal to cancel out Henri Camara’s first-half strike for Wigan, the Zimbabwean forward secured a match-winning penalty with a goal-bound header that Gary Teale handled on the line.
Teale was ordered off and Matt Taylor held his nerve to convert the 71st-minute spot kick that keeps Harry Redknapp’s side in the top flight.
Birmingham would have carried hope of survival into the final day of the season (May 7) if they had beaten Newcastle.
But Steve Bruce’s side had to settle for a goalless draw at St Andrews, where England striker Michael Owen made his first appearance this year as a second-half substitute.
Liverpool boosted their chances of snatching second place — and automatic entry to the group stages of the Champions League — from Manchester United by beating Aston Villa 3-1 at Anfield.
Captain Steven Gerrard capped the win with a second-half double after Gareth Barry had cancelled out Fernando Morientes’s early strike. Liverpool moved level with United on points but they have only one game left to play while United have two.
United are likely to be without Wayne Rooney for both their remaining matches after the England forward was stretchered off late in the game at Chelsea. A scan on Sunday will determine if he will be fit for World Cup duty in June.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who celebrated by tossing his medal and blazer into the Stamford Bridge crowd, has now won back-to-back titles with two clubs following his successes with FC Porto in his native Portugal.
”It is a fantastic feeling, a second title for Chelsea and a fourth for me and my people,” he said. ”We know one day we have to lose the championship, but for now it’s fantastic. To win successive titles is not easy, but we have been ahead from the start of the season and I think we deserve it.”
England midfielder Frank Lampard added: ”The league does not lie. We are 12 points clear and we have beaten Manchester United 3-0. This is our moment and we are going to enjoy it.”
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said Saturday’s result was harsh on his side, but paid tribute to the qualities of Mourinho’s side. ”If you lose goals as soft as we have done today, you have to take your medicine for that. But it is not easy winning the league and Chelsea deserve to have done it.”
Chelsea must now win their two remaining games, against Blackburn and Newcastle, to beat the record haul of 95 points they amassed in winning the title last season.
Blackburn remained firmly in the hunt for European football by beating Charlton 2-0 at The Valley on the day it was announced that Alan Curbishley would be stepping down as manager of the London club at the end of the season.
A first-half header from Steven Reid and an own goal by Chris Powell sealed the Blackburn win.
Fulham staged a dramatic late rally to beat Manchester City 2-1.
Stern John and Steed Malbranque scored in the 84th and 90th minutes respectively after Ireland defender Richard Dunne had given City the lead.
Uefa Cup finalists Middlesbrough were brought down to earth when James McFadden earned Everton a 1-0 win with a last-gasp strike at The Riverside. — Sapa-AFP