The Blues needed only a win to prevent Manchester United from overhauling them on the last game of the season but there was no way the Londoners were going to be denied their third title in the Roman Abramovich era.

Goals rained in from Didier Drogba (3), Nicolas Anelka (2) Frank Lampard, Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole.

Chelsea took just six minutes to put the ball in the back of the net and one hand on the Premier League trophy.

Drogba's free-kick was charged down by the Wigan wall - Lampard headed it on and an offside-looking Florent Malouda touched the ball onto the in-running Anelka. The Frenchman smashed home a right-footer from six yards out past the helpless Mike Pollitt.

Hugo Rodallega attempted a curling left footer from outside the Chelsea area on ten minutes, but his effort was wide and high of Petr Cech's goal.

Despite Wigan's dominance of possession it was the Blues who provided the cutting edge and on 32 minutes they extended their lead.

Lampard raced into the Wigan area but was hauled down by Gary Caldwell. The defender was red-carded for his sins and Lampard tucked away the spot-kick for his 27th goal of the season - 22 in the league of which ten were penalties.

It was celebration time all round the Bridge when, on 54 minutes, brilliant set-up play by Kalou and Lampard saw the Ivory Coast striker tuck home a smart right footer from six yard to make it 3-0.

Then, 90 seconds later, it was number four. This time Anelka volleyed home a deep Branislav Ivanovic cross which he fired across the path of Pollitt who had no chance.

Ten-man Wigan collapsed completely with 27 minutes of the game remaining when, first Drogba's acrobatic overhead kick was well saved by Pollitt, only for the hit-man to get up, dust himself off and powerfully head home to hit Chelsea's fifth of the match.

On 68 minutes it was six. Another penalty this time - Ashley Cole was upended by Mario Melchiot, Lampard handed the ball to Drogba and he sent Pollitt the wrong way.

Drogba completed his hat-trick and scored Chelsea's seventh goal with ten minutes remaining when he slid in at the far post after Pollitt had saved Joe Cole's effort.

Wigan substitute Victor Moses forced Cech into a superb save on 86 minutes, tipping the ex-Crystal Place striker's vicious 20-yard blaster over the bar.

But with seconds remaining the rout was complete. This time Ashley Cole thundered home a volley after Joe Cole's excellent set-up play on the byline.