THE INDIE
As the celebrations began in one part of west London early yesterday afternoon, a pall hung over Soho Square. A desperate weekend for the Football Association continued with serious concern that the foot injury suffered by Wayne Rooney will keep him out of this summer's World Cup. As England's most important forward heard the break would keep him out for six weeks, the 10 stitches required by their key defender, John Terry, seemed minor in comparison; and Jose Mourinho's revelation that he had considered leaving Chelsea at the end of the season paled almost into a sideshow.
If Mourinho feels understandably frustrated at not receiving sufficient credit for winning his fourth successive domestic title, imagine Sir Alex Ferguson's feelings on the way back to Manchester. United, though suffering their first defeat in a dozen games, looked a world away from offering the challenge that their manager has promised for next season. Rooney was again his best player, despite missing the clearest opportunity and committing at least three bad tackles, including the one that left Terry limping for most of the match. There was, however, no malice in the challenge by Paulo Ferreira 12 minutes from the end which could have ended his season, and may have ended his and England's World Cup hopes.
This was a comprehensive victory - for Mourinho's team, 3-0 is a cricket score - completing an extraordinary home record of 18 wins and one draw, the best in the top division for almost a century. Liverpool, the other occasionally stuttering big red machine from up north, could yet deprive United of second place, although Ferguson's side appear to have the easier finish with home games against Middlesbrough and Charlton this week.
Even if United had not dropped points at home to Sunderland on Good Friday, there would have been no more serious doubt about the destination of the title than there was last season, when Chelsea secured it at Bolton a week earlier. At that stage they were midway through the Champions' League semi-final against Liverpool, which would be lost to Luis Garcia's "ghost" goal. After defeat by Barcelona in the same competition last month, improvement next season can only come by winning the competition.
Mourinho, in other words, will be expected to win the Premiership again as a matter of course. He feels too much is taken for granted, though there will be a few belly-laughs from members of the League Managers' Association at his suggestion that "this is the worst club in the world to be manager of". Yesterday was proof of a lesson learned from the FA Cup semi-final defeat by Liverpool, even if he refused publicly to acknowledge picking the wrong team. With a single point required to retain the championship, he simply chose his best players in their most successful formation and watched them dominate the game.
OBSERVER
You wait 50 years for a title and then two come along in as many years. For the five-year-old boy who was here to witness his first Chelsea match, how do you begin to explain that hoisting the Premiership trophy courtesy of a swaggering 3-0 victory over Manchester United does not happen every year?
'Back to back' was the theme of the day and Chelsea made sure they retained their title with authority and style. From back to front there were immense performances worthy of a championship crowning occasion. John Terry, who caught a hefty knock from the boot of Wayne Rooney in the first 10 minutes, battled heroically through the pain and ended up hobbling. But nothing would stop the captain from being on the pitch as the final whistle blew on his second title.
And so United were bystanders to a Premiership party for the second time in five seasons. But that worry was overshadowed when Rooney was carried off on a stretcher with eight minutes remaining, having landed awkwardly under pressure from Paulo Ferreira's challenge. Clearly in pain, his right leg was strapped and foot supported and it was a disquieting sight.
Rooney was United's central threat, but once the home team got themselves an early foothold, they were always chasing the champions. Chelsea surged ahead in the fifth minute from a set piece. Frank Lampard's corner was helped on by Didier Drogba and with the defence in disarray, William Gallas was alone, unmarked, with the goal at his mercy. Gleefully, he sent a header past Edwin van der Sar. Mourinho's reaction? To sit motionless, expressionless, as Stamford Bridge burst to life around him.
United's response was vigorous enough. They were furious that referee Mike Dean had not stopped play during the attack that forced the corner, adamant that Cristiano Ronaldo had been fouled. An eventful opening 10 minutes became even more heated when Terry was gashed during a full blooded 50-50 tackle with Rooney. The United striker then clattered Ferreira but escaped a booking.
Chelsea were dominant, until Rooney endeavoured to rouse United. A virtuoso run of wilful determination left Terry and Ricardo Carvalho in his wake and Ferreira on his backside, but having done the hard work, when it came to the finish he screwed a golden chance wide. Mourinho's cajoling ensured that Chelsea finished off their opponents.
TORYGRAPH
Chelsea took this title in a manner that erased any mirage of red-tinged doubt as to their right to it. They rose to Manchester United's brave prediction of an ever-closer challenge next season with a stirring reassertion of the margin between the teams.
There were even some graceful words from Mourinho, who, having reminded anyone still ignorant of his achievements that he now has four consecutive national championships, the first pair with Porto, added: "The result doesn't show how difficult Manchester United made it for us. They were fantastic today.''
Inevitably, Wayne Rooney's grimace as the stretcher bore him off the field lingered in every mind, though Mourinho said a member of the United staff had assured him Rooney would be fit for the World Cup.
Even amid the early stages of their celebrations, his England players - Lampard, John Terry and Joe Cole - were visibly sobered by anxiety about Sven-Goran Eriksson's most exciting player of all.
Even in the 78th minute, with United three down, Rooney remained in brilliant, defiant form until he fell under pressure from Paulo Ferreira and a nation, it is scarcely an exaggeration to say, held its breath.
Chelsea had started with William Gallas's fifth Premiership goal of the season: a total that meant the French defender had equalled the combined output of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Damien Duff.
He took it like a striker, too, profiting from excellent use of a corner. Lampard swung the ball over, Terry jumped early and Didier Drogba, lurking behind his captain, nodded goalwards.
Gary Neville, by a post, would probably have stopped it but was helpless to keep out a more powerful header from the intervening predator Gallas.
Terry, having fared the worse in a challenge with Rooney, overcame the pain but was one of two defenders humbled as Rooney gave United hope with a thrilling surge.
Finding Louis Saha from deep, he sprinted and turned the striker's lay-off into a one-two; Terry, diving in, was left on his bottom and Ferreira nutmegged before Rooney advanced on Petr Cech only to pull his shot wide. Later, with a sudden low drive from 20 yards, Rooney brought an outstanding save from Cech.
SUNDAY TIMES
There was no guard of honour from Manchester United this time — that was left to the Chelsea Pensioners to perform — but it did not stop the champions staging a procession. Sir Alex Ferguson was wincing long before Wayne Rooney exited on a stretcher, another victim seemingly of the metatarsal curse.
Jose Mourinho said 3-0 "didn't show what happened, the game was difficult". But while play still proceeded Joe Cole conducted Stamford Bridge in a song. "Ea-sy." It was stoppage time in the defining match but the chant applied to Chelsea's entire regal march to the title.
Only United have retained the Premiership and never with such authority. This crushing scoreline saw Chelsea end with a home record of played 19, won 18, lost 0, goals for 47, goals against 9. If the unthinkable happens and Mourinho leaves Chelsea, this was quite a way to go out in front of your home audience. The match was won in midfield, where Ryan Giggs and John O'Shea were no match for Mourinho's powerhouse trio of Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien, but Chelsea had heroes everywhere.