Football: Chelsea clinch the title against Wigan

Chelsea begin Sunday's match against Wigan knowing that victory will ensure they win the Premier League title for only the fourth time in their history. It will also keep them on course for their first ever league and cup double. A banner of encouragement is waved in the stands before kick-off Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk After three straight years in which Manchester United have won the title, Chelsea fans are optimistic they can reclaim their domestic crown Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk It takes just six minutes for Carlo Ancelotti's men to opening the scoring - Nicolas Anelka rifling the ball into the bottom corner following Florent Malouda's chested pass Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Gary Caldwell brings down Frank Lampard in the 32nd minute, conceding a penalty Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Worse still, Caldwell is shown a red card for the foul and Wigan will now have to play the next hour at Stamford Bridge with only ten men... Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk ... Lampard steps up to convert the spot kick with ease. It's 2-0 to Chelsea Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Steve Gohouri and Florent Malouda jostle for the ball Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Chelsea players huddle prior to the second half ... perhaps they've heard that rivals Manchester United are leading 2-0 at home to Stoke Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Chelsea cruise through the second half ... A delighted Salomon Kalou celebrates scoring their third goal Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Nicolas Anelka volleys the fourth Photograph: Tom Jenkins Didier Drogba gets his name on the score-sheet as well, adding the fifth of the match and Chelsea's 100th of the league season Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Dazed Wigan defender Steve Gohouri lies on the floor after Drogba scores the sixth. Chelsea's Ivorian striker soon completes his hat-trick, making it 7-0 and confirming him as the league's Golden Boot winner this term Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Ashley Cole adds an eighth to finish the scoring Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk The final whistle is blown, and the party begins ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Drogba puckers up moments before the official trophy presentation Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Skipper John Terry hoists the coveted prize aloft ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins Photograph: Tom Jenkins/guardian.co.uk Good job the real Premier League trophy was brought to Stamford Bridge in anticipation of Chelsea winning this afternoon ... (a replica had been sent to Old Trafford in case of an unlikely swing in fortunes) Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Ray Wilkins and Michael Essien crack open the champagne Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Cole and Terry are ecstatic; Terry's daughter, stood nearby, looks slightly perplexed Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Chelsea's fans are thrilled to be back on top Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Carlo Ancelotti proudly gets his hands on his first piece of silverware in England Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk ... and later addresses the fans during his lap of honour Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Chelsea's entire squad gathers for photographers Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk John Terry, seen here with his wife and kids, looks delighted to be ending the league campaign on a high after such a turbulent year Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk