Chelsea's goal blitz prises the title from Red Devils

After a week of speculation over whether or not Wigan would be able to wreck Chelsea's title celebrations and, if so, could Stoke prevent Manchester United from making the most of it, the debate was concluded in emphatic style as the leaders crushed the Latics' 10 men 8-0 to take the silverware back to Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2006.

Carlo Ancelotti's side, initially functional rather than swaggering, dispatched the Latics with little fuss – other than Didier Drogba's tantrum in response to not being allowed to take a first-half penalty – to make United's 4-0 win irrelevant.

Sir Alex Ferguson's slim hopes of wrenching the title from the Italian's grasp were effectively over with less than six minutes on the clock at Stamford Bridge when Nicolas Anelka fired the leaders ahead, and the rout which followed was almost superfluous.

United had been up against it ever since their 2-1 home defeat by Chelsea on April 3, although the Blues' 7-0 demolition of Stoke three weeks later, which gave them a healthy advantage in goal difference, and their 2-0 victory at Liverpool last weekend was further confirmation of their superiority.

As United kicked off against the Potters, they knew only an unlikely turn of events would take the trophy to the north-west rather than to south-west London, and what optimism there had been dissipated rapidly as the afternoon unfolded in predictable fashion.

Wigan briefly threatened to drag themselves back into the game with the Blues strangely disjointed after Anelka's opener.

United took the lead in their game when Darren Fletcher smashed home a close-range 31st-minute shot from Nemanja Vidic's knock-down, but a groan echoed around the red half of Manchester within seconds when news of Chelsea's second goal filtered through.

Having hauled Lampard to the ground as he burst into the penalty area, Gary Caldwell was dismissed and the England midfielder doubled the advantage from the spot, much to the clear displeasure of Drogba as he was denied a chance to ease himself ahead of Wayne Rooney in the race for the Golden Boot.

United kept pace when Ryan Giggs extended his side's lead eight minutes before the break, but without an extraordinary Wigan revival, it meant little.

The two prize-fighters continued to slug it out hundreds of miles apart, Danny Higginbotham's own goal and Salomon Kalou's 54th-minute strike extending the lead at both venues.

But the Chelsea party started in earnest three minutes later when Anelka took the club's Premier League tally for the season to 99.

Drogba was placated with 63 minutes gone when, after seeing his superb overhead kick repelled by veteran goalkeeper Mike Pollitt, he powered home a header from Lampard's cross to complete Chelsea's century, and his 28th goal of the campaign came four minutes later when he did get the chance to convert from the penalty spot.

Rooney's premature departure at Old Trafford ensured the last remaining issue had been resolved in Drogba's favour, and he celebrated by completing his hat-trick 10 minutes from time.

Park Ji-sung, Rooney's replacement, extended his side's lead with 84 minutes on the clock, but it was Ashley Cole who had the final say on the day when he thundered home a late volley to condemn Wigan to a second defeat of the season in London by eight goals.

United manager Ferguson played down fears about Rooney's fitness ahead of this summer's World Cup.

The Manchester United striker limped out of the action 13 minutes from the end against Stoke, sparking immediate fears about his health ahead of Fabio Capello's provisional squad being announced tomorrow.

But, in confirming Rooney had aggravated a groin injury that first surfaced last month, Ferguson stressed he was not too concerned about the 24-year-old.

"He has aggravated his groin again," said Ferguson.

"I don't think it is serious. I think he will be okay for England."

Ancelotti does not believe Chelsea's ageing squad requires major surgery although one of those expected to leave is Germany captain Michael Ballack. At 33, the club are reluctant to offer him the two-year deal he wants.

His deal expires in the summer and the German is likely to reject a one-year offer and return to his homeland.

Ballack was substituted in the second half of their 8-0 success in a move that was largely seen as the club giving fans a chance to say an appreciative farewell to the midfielder.

Ferguson hinted there may be new faces on the way to Old Trafford, adding: "There may be one or two things but at the moment nothing is signed."