Match Report: Chelsea 8 - 0 Wigan

Chelsea clinched the Barclays Premier League title and set a new goalscoring record with a sensational destruction of 10-man Wigan at Stamford Bridge.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti guided the Blues to their first Championship success since 2006 in his debut season in England as Chelsea took their tally to 103 goals - the highest in the Premier League since Manchester United in 2000 and the first to achieve the century since Tottenham in 1962/3.

United's victory over Stoke at Old Trafford was irrelevant as the Blues finished the season one point clear of their rivals.

Ancelotti's side smashed home seven or more goals for the fourth time this season as Wigan, who had defender Gary Caldwell sent-off on the half-hour, simply capitulated.

A hat-trick from Golden Boot winner Didier Drogba, who finished the season with 29 league goals, two from Nicolas Anelka, a Frank Lampard penalty and others from Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole, left Chelsea champions and on the brink of a League and FA Cup Double.

Only Portsmouth now stand in their way of a history-making season for Ancelotti and his team.

The Blues will become only the seventh team in the history of the game to win both competitions if they can overcome Avram Grant's side at Wembley next week.

The Blues were given the best possible start by France international Nicolas Anelka.

The striker, expected to sign a new two-year contract once the season is over, collected a knock down from Florent Malouda to fire past Wigan goalkeeper Mike Pollitt.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez caused a stir by playing three in defence and for the next 25 minutes they gave Chelsea and their fans some anxious moments.

But the game changed on a pivotal penalty on the half-hour when Lampard was clearly brought down by Wigan defender Caldwell.

Referee Martin Atkinson then produced the red-card for the unfortunate centre-half.

Drogba, chasing the Premier League Golden Boot and level on 26 goals with United's Wayne Rooney, asked Lampard to let him take the spot-kick but the England international rejected his request.

Drogba was distinctly unhappy with Lampard's answer and had to be calmed down by other members of the Chelsea side.

Lampard duly put the penalty into the bottom corner to leave Chelsea in control of their own destiny at half-time.

In the 54th minute the title was sealed as Lampard and Kalou combined for the Ivory Coast international to almost walk the ball into the net.

Two minutes later Chelsea's fans were in dreamland when a cross from Branislav Ivanovic was volleyed home at the far post by Anelka.

With the title now Chelsea's, the only remaining issue to be settled was Drogba and his hunt for the Golden Boot.

That was settled in the 63rd minute when the Ivorian rose highest at the far post to head Lampard's cross into the net and make it 5-0.

It got better for Drogba five minutes later when Cole was brought down and Lampard tossed the ball to Drogba so he could take the penalty.

The Ivorian's spot-kick went in off the post but it mattered littler to Drogba who had taken his tally to the season in the league to 28.

Ancelotti was hailed by the home fans and for the first time in the game the Italian responded by waving to the supporters chanting his name.

Drogba completed his hat-trick 10 minutes from the end of the game as Chelsea made it seven in a game for the fourth time this season.

Substitute Joe Cole's shot was parried by Pollitt but the ball fell kindly to the lurking Drogba who tucked it home for his 29th league strike of the season.

The goal sparked more cheering of Ancelotti but Wigan, who had not tested Petr Cech at all during the one-side contest, finally forced him into action when the Czech international tipped a goalbound shot from substitute Victor Moses over the bar in the 87th minute.

Cole completed the rout when he volleyed home in the final minute to make it 8-0 and as the champagne was sprayed over Ancelotti, the Italian had clearly banished the ghost of Jose Mourinho.

The day belonged to Ancelotti and his attacking side as Chelsea were crowned deserved champions for the fourth time in their history.

Carlo - We Don't Need Torres

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed claims he is set to make a summer bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Rumours have circulated that the Italian tactician has approached the Spaniard after the Reds failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League this term.

However Ancelotti, who is hoping to wrap-up the Premier League title on Sunday afternoon, believes Torres is no better than the strikers he currently has at his disposal.

When asked whether an approach had been made, Ancelotti told Independent Sport: "No, I don't think so, because with (Didier) Drogba and (Nicolas) Anelka it's too similar.

"Torres is a fantastic player but it's better to grow players with this ability in the academy. We have a very good squad for next season.

"It's not an old team; we have players with experience, ability and skills. After the FA Cup final we will have a meeting with Roman (Abramovich) and take a decision about next season."

Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton declared debts of more than £350m at the club on Friday.

Chelsea Star Lampard Set To Turn Down Real Madrid Move

According to the Sunday Mirror, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will turn down a prospective move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The England midfielder has been rumoured to be the number one target of former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, should the 'special one' take over as manager at Real Madrid. The Sunday Mirror speculates that a £30million bid could see Lampard move to the Bernebeu.

However, Lampard will reportedly turn down the opportunity to move to Spain in favour of focusing on his relationship with TV star Christine Bleakley.

The Sunday Mirror quotes a friend of Lampard saying, “It’s no secret that Frank finds the prospect of a reunion with Mourinho at one of the world’s great clubs attractive.

“But he absolutely adores Christine and he is not prepared to do anything that would rock the boat.

“Her TV career is going brilliantly and Frank knows she wouldn’t leave the country right now so he’s decided to stay at Chelsea.”

Lampard has scored 25 goals for Chelsea this season and is on the verge of collecting his third Premier League winners' medal.

Chelsea’s Joe Cole Keen To Join Redknapp At Tottenham

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole wants to join his former boss Harry Redknapp at Tottenham, according to The Sun.

Cole has been unable to agree terms with Chelsea with his contract expiring this summer. Although the 28 year-old has made it clear that he would like to stay at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea chief Roman Abramovich is looking to curb spending on exorbitant wages and is resisting Cole's demands.

Although Liverpool have also been linked with the England midfielder who will be available on a Bosman free, Cole apparently favours staying in London and would relish the opportunity to link up with his former West Ham boss Harry Redknapp at Tottenham. Redknapp helped nurture Cole as he came through the ranks at Upton Park.

Especially with Tottenham having secured Champions League football next season, Cole is keen to move to White Hart Lane according to The Sun. However, he will likely ask Spurs to agree to wage demands of around the £100,000-a-week mark, way beyond their previous salary limits.

Burnley Midfielder Cork Is Ready To Leave Chelsea, Says Father

Alan Cork has revealed that son Jack is ready to seek a permanent move away from Chelsea – and would have no qualms about dropping down to the Championship to play for Burnley again next season.

The former Wimbledon and Sheffield United striker is due at Turf Moor on Sunday to see Jack in action on the final day of the campaign against Tottenham, and has taken great pride in seeing his son take his first steps in the top flight with the Clarets – making them one of a select group of fathers and sons to have both played in the Premier League.

The 20-year-old has impressed since joining from Chelsea in January, having had a spell with Coventry earlier in the season following previous loan spells with Bournemouth, Scunthorpe, Southampton and Watford.

Many Burnley fans hope that Cork could return to Turf Moor on loan again next season. But a permanent switch could also now be a possibility, funds permitting, with the midfielder set to give up on his dream of making the first team at Stamford Bridge – even if he may also attract interest from elsewhere.

“I think he’s pretty much realised now that it’s not going to happen for him at Chelsea,” said Alan.

“He has been there since he was seven but they’ve got about 40 players, and they have just won the Youth Cup so they have a lot of good young players.

“They have Ryan Bertrand who has been out on loan at Reading, Scott Sinclair at Wigan and Michael Mancienne at Wolves.

“If eight or nine of them go back at once they’re not all going to get a game.

“Jack has got two years left on his contract at Chelsea, so it’s all down to what they want to do.

“I think Coventry put a bid in for him previously but they turned it down.

“He’ll go back to speak to Chelsea and Frank Arnesen on Monday or Tuesday and find out what their plans are.

“He has played in a few teams that have been struggling now and I think he would just like to be in a team that is winning more games.

“He would go anywhere.

“I don’t think dropping down to the Championship would worry him.

“It’s been disappointing for Jack that Burnley have been relegated but personally it has gone well for him.

“He has enjoyed it there.”

Alan, now 51, scored goals galore during his time at Wimbledon and is desperate to see Jack break his Clarets duck.

“I scored a lot of goals and that’s the one thing he hasn’t done,” said Alan, who left his coaching role at Bolton when manager Gary Megson was relieved of his duties.

“Jack has got everything else. He can pass the ball, which I could never do, he doesn’t give the ball away.

“He just needs to score some goals! I think he’d love to get one on Sunday.

“I was at Fulham when he came on for his debut for Burnley and he was really pleased about that because he was excited to play in the Premier League.

“They have been good to him there. I know Paul Fletcher from Coventry, and I know Stuart Gray as well because I worked with Steve Wigley at Bolton and those two are close.

“There are only three or four fathers and sons who have played in the Premier League so I’m proud to see Jack doing well.

“He’s a nice lad and he’s played 120 games now so he’s quite experienced.

“I played until I was 36 and made 700 appearances. He’s certainly on course for that.”

Youth Report: Chelsea 4 - 0 Ipswich Town

Chelsea's Under 18 side won their penultimate game of season by thumping visitors Ipswich 4-0 despite the rain pouring down.

FA Youth Cup-winning captain Conor Clifford started in midfield alongside fellow Cup finalists Sam Walker in goal, Aziz Deen-Conteh at left-back and Jacopo Sala up front.

Adam Phillip (pictured) also returned to the starting line-up after missing most of the season through injury.

A 4-3-3 set-up was youth team manager Dermot Drummy's choice as the side lined up against Ipswich.

It was a slow start at Cobham, with the game unfolding in midfield as both sides failed to threaten either goal.

It took 20 minutes for Walker to be tested between the posts when the keeper was forced into an acrobatic one-handed save to deflect a shot from reaching the net.

Then the opening goal arrived when Daniel Philliskirk broke down the centre of the pitch, placing a clever through ball for Phillip to latch onto. The striker then rounded the keeper before drilling into the net.

It was the perfect return to competitive football but not long after Phillip was forced out of the game with injury as he limped off to be replaced by Philipp Prosenik.

Chelsea doubled the lead minutes before half time when Milan Lalkovic won a penalty with some boisterous play down the left, which saw him dance his way into the box before being cut to the ground.

The referee pointed to the spot and the young Slovakian drove a low shot down the centre which the keeper saved but failed to hold onto, allowing 15-year-old Nathaniel Chalobah to net the loose ball.

Drummy then made two changes at half time and rested Sala and Clifford, who were replaced by Anton Rodgers and Todd Kane.

And soon it was 3-0 after Philliskirk, who had received the armband from Clifford, scored a well-worked goal before minutes later Kane made it four.

The schoolboy netted Chelsea's final goal with a left-footed strike after a Lalkovic shot rebounded off the woodwork into the youngster's path.

The game was as good as over early into the second half, and with such a huge deficit to come back from, Ipswich failed to produce any real chances on goal.

Instead the Blues sat back and completed another comfortable victory as they head into their final game of the season against Tottenham this Monday.

Portsmouth Boss Blasts Chelsea

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant has launched a stinging attack on former club Chelsea, insisting he will never forget the way they unceremoniously dumped him.

Grant took over from Jose Mourinho in September 2007 and was handed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge three months later.

Under the Israeli, Chelsea lost just two league games, narrowly missing out on the Barclays Premier League title to Manchester United, who also beat them in the Champions League final on penalties.

Despite Grant's success his contract was terminated, something he believes was a mistake on their part.

"If I had been manager at the start of the season and we had played as well as we had finished the campaign, Chelsea not Manchester United would have been Premier League champions," Grant told the Mirror.

"And how close were we from winning the Champions League? A penalty away.

"So I can tell you with total honesty that I was not happy with the way they treated me in the end.

"There were a lot of negative things that happened, things I didn't like and find hard to forget.

"I was very proud of what I achieved at Chelsea but their big mistake was to take what I did for granted.

"I felt it was important the club had continuity and was looking towards long-term stability.

"I always believed that it would be easier in the second season. But I was never given the chance."

Grant will meet his former club next weekend when Portsmouth take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

Despite his broadside, Grant claims he still has many friends at Chelsea, including billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

He added: "I appreciate the owner gave me the chance to manage and then he offered to make me a director which I declined. I don't forget that.

"There were many good things at Chelsea and I still have a great affection for the club.

"After Portsmouth beat Tottenham in the semi-final most of the Chelsea players sent me text messages."

Chelsea Hold No Fears For Passionate Grant

The chances of beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final are slim, but Avram Grant doesn't believe in fear in sports, says Jamie Jackson.

Back in January, Avram Grant was at a low point when he realised he had been misled, as had his Portsmouth team, about the club's ability to make signings during the transfer window.

He called together his players and offered them two choices. "The first is to give up, go to the beach," he told them. "Obviously I will not come as I'm not so skinny. But nobody will blame you for what's happened. This is not football. The second is not to give up. But to do it big time."

Grant would accept no half measures. The players took option B, found their best form in the FA Cup and knocked out Sunderland, Southampton, Birmingham and Tottenham en route to Saturday's final against Grant's old club Chelsea. "For us to come to the FA Cup final in a season like this, playing our best performance in the semi-final against Tottenham -- that is some kind of miracle."

Grant took over from Paul Hart on November 26 with Portsmouth rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table and on their third owner of the season, Ali al-Faraj, a Saudi-based businessman who would never visit Fratton Park.

At one point, they had had more owners than home wins in the League. They stayed bottom because of a nine-point deduction for going into administration and are heading into the Championship with debts of £138m.

"There were many problems off the pitch," says Grant, with a hefty degree of understatement. Salaries were unpaid for a third time in December, and a transfer embargo was imposed because money was owed to other clubs, and was only lifted days before the close of the January window.

Looking back to those desperate days, Grant says: "All the players said to me: 'Will we bring players in January?' I said: 'For sure, they (the club's executives at the time) promised.' When you wait for something that's promised you are disappointed when it doesn't come. So this was hard. I decided then only to concentrate on the football, on what I and the players could control."

Grant spent eight months in charge at Chelsea, having followed Jose Mourinho, the act no coach would choose to succeed. An indicator of the widespread derision that greeted Grant's appointment in September 2007 can be found in the front-page headline of an Israeli sports magazine. It read, in capital letters, 'What the fuck?' Grant smiles and says: "The Israelis are very nice guys, but some like to be cynical."

But Grant shows no bitterness. "I was concentrating on my job. I said in my second press conference that the target was the Champions League final and to change the club's image, because even when Chelsea achieved the title everyone said it was not with positive football. We had won nine games in a row and then we lost the Carling Cup final."

Tottenham beat Chelsea 2-1 in extra time, with a controversial penalty equaliser by Dimitar Berbatov and a winner from Jonathan Woodgate after a rare error by Petr Cech. Questions were asked about Grant's team selection.

By May 2008, Grant had lost that Carling Cup final, finished second in the Premier League and taken Chelsea to a first appearance in the Champions League final, a feat beyond even Mourinho during his three seasons at Stamford Bridge. After Chelsea's penalty shoot-out defeat by Manchester United in Moscow, Mourinho reflected on Grant's season in this newspaper and labelled him a loser. "In my philosophy it was a very bad season," Mourinho said, "because, in football, 'almost' means defeat-- and Chelsea almost won the Carling Cup, almost won the Champions League and almost won the Premier League.

"Almost is nothing. After two titles per season for the last three years (for me), there were zero titles, which, in my philosophy, means a really bad season. Maybe in the philosophy of a loser this was a great season."

Now, when speaking of his three months working with the Portuguese as Chelsea's director of football, Grant is generous regarding Mourinho the man. He is not so keen, though, on the Inter coach's style of football, though.

"Jose is a good coach, but I agree with Johan Cruyff, who said the message Mourinho brings is the wrong message. His message is only tactics, only winning. People say football is the winning. Of course, but in big teams you can decide sometimes how to win and play because you have the best players. Barcelona chose a way since Johan Cruyff came (as coach in 1988) and they never change it, the style of the team. They don't play long-ball, never. I agree.

"Jose is a good coach and his strength is to be the underdog. He is the only coach that can come with four of the best Brazilians (Julio Cesar, Lucio, Maicon, Thiago Motta), four of the best Argentinians (Javier Zanetti, Walter Samuel, Esteban Cambiasso, Diego Milito) and still be underdogs."

Grant was surprised at the culture that had enveloped Chelsea when he took over. "They had only just started to be a big club. Manchester United were champions, but I didn't see one of their players say: 'We are the champions.' But every player in Chelsea said: 'We have won two championships.' But that had been a year and a half ago."

The 55-year-old is clear that, despite his surprise appointment, every Chelsea player responded to him, bar one. "I found out after I left he behaved not as a professional and did a lot of things behind my back," Grant says with a shrug. "I won't say who. But one player thought he had so much power, maybe because they gave him the impression. He allowed himself to do things players shouldn't. But the rest were very professional and I enjoyed working with them."

Grant departed within days of the defeat in Moscow. "It was an emotional moment," he says of the penalty shoot-out. "I remember one of the Chelsea directors saying: 'You show emotion.' I said: 'For me it's a compliment, for you it's not.' Emotions are good if you don't lose your judgement. I wanted to bring more soul to the game, for players not to be like computers."

Portsmouth are 11/1 to defeat Grant's former club, which is not surprising given their abysmal form against Chelsea in seven Premier League seasons. "The chance is low, but I don't believe in fear in sports, I believe in respect. And everybody likes romance -- even my wife," Grant says, with a twinkle.

Will he be Pompey manager next season? "Let's wait and see. Football is about passion, it made me stay in January. I knew the team was relegated, there was no reason to stay."

West Ham, Celtic and others are sure to be interested. Pompey fans everywhere will hope the man they call Uncle Avram will stay on. "I cannot tell you," he says, "what a good feeling it is that people are behind you."