Chelsea went into their Stamford Bridge clash with Wigan Athletic in 2010 knowing that three points against the Latics would secure them their third Premier League title.
Carlo Ancelotti's outfit held a one-point advantage over rivals Manchester United while also possessing a better goal difference than the Red Devils, and the Italian opted to name an unchanged starting lineup for the final-day encounter.
Wigan had the better of the opening exchanges, but Chelsea wasted little time in moving into an early lead. After seeing his free kick blocked, Didier Drogba headed the ball back into the penalty area where Florent Malouda set up Nicolas Anelka to fire the ball past Mike Pollitt from close range.
The visitors responded positively through Charles N'Zogbia, but after he had miscued an effort wide, Chelsea pressed forward through Salomon Kalou. Despite some fine work down the right, his low cross just evaded several teammates at the back post.
The Blues weren't having it all their own way against Roberto Martinez's side, but after the frustration levels had begun to rise in West London, they soon eased when Chelsea won a penalty that also saw Wigan defender Gary Caldwell earn a red card.
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Frank Lampard accelerated into the penalty area before being felled by Caldwell, leaving the referee with little option but to send the Scotland international off. After a brief argument with Drogba regarding who should take the spot kick, Lampard stepped up to fire the ball past Pollitt.
United were also leading 2-0 at the break, but Chelsea virtually assured themselves of the league title when they went 3-0 ahead shortly after the restart. Some fine work from Lampard created space inside the penalty area to leave Kalou with the simple task of tapping home from a yard out.
Moments later, three became four as Chelsea began to run riot at Stamford Bridge. Branislav Ivanovic found Anelka with a superb long ball and Anelka wasted little time by striking the ball past a helpless Pollitt on the volley.
Despite the match being over as a contest, Drogba was still searching for the goals that could see him top the scoring charts, and after seeing his brilliant overhead kick saved by Pollitt, the Ivorian was given the opportunity to head home from inside the six-yard box after a precise delivery from Lampard.
There was a party atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge but Chelsea continued to work on the pitch and double figures seemed a realistic target when they scored their sixth goal in the 68th minute. Ashley Cole was fouled in the area, and after being handed the ball by Lampard, Drogba powered the ball in off the post from the penalty spot.
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Drogba's second goal was followed by Wayne Rooney leaving the pitch at Old Trafford, which guaranteed the Blues striker the Golden Boot, but with 10 minutes remaining, he wasn't finished. After Joe Cole's shot was saved by Pollitt, the ball rebounded to Drogba who had the easiest of tasks to complete his treble.
Petr Cech had hardly touched the ball during a one-sided second half, but he was called into action with four minutes remaining when Victor Moses's strike appeared to be creeping in before the Czech stopper made his intervention.
As the game entered stoppage time, Chelsea capped off a remarkable attacking display with their eighth goal of the afternoon. Joe Cole held off the attention of his marker to clip the ball to the back post where Ashley Cole was waiting to volley the ball into the far corner from eight yards.
The final whistle followed, and Chelsea and Ancelotti could celebrate winning the domestic crown in the Italian's first campaign in charge at the club. The Blues also ended the season with 103 goals from their 38 fixtures, which was a new Premier League record.
A week later, Chelsea completed a domestic double by beating Portsmouth in the FA Cup thanks to a Drogba goal shortly before the hour mark.
Darren Plant
