Chelsea won the Premier League championship on Saturday after goals from defenders William Gallas and Ricardo Carvalho and winger Joe Cole earned them a thumping 3-0 victory over closest rivals Manchester United.

Chelsea's William Gallas (L) scores past Manchester United's goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar (R) as Ryan Giggs looks on (C) during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London April 29, 2006. Chelsea beat Manchester United 3-0. [Reuters]

It was the second title in a row for the London side, who rose 12 points clear at the top of the league, and means United, who had been on a fine run of form, must fight it out with Liverpool for second place with two games to go.

The tense, tough and committed contest as befitted the top two sides in the Premier League must have had nine national coaches on the edge of their seats worrying about injury with the World Cup starting on June 9.

England striker Wayne Rooney was carried off on a stretcher 10 minutes before the end of the contest after a clash with Paulo Ferreira. He went down clutching his foot and will have a scan on Sunday after leaving the stadium on crutches.

All Chelsea's starting line-up were likely to be playing in the World Cup as well as all but two from Manchester United . Six from the two teams were England regulars.

Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, disappointed by the loss to Barcelona in the Champions League last month and knocked out of the FA Cup in last weekend's semi-finals by Liverpool, came out with a point to prove.

In the fifth minute Frank Lampard floated in a corner from the right. Big Ivory Coast striker Didier Droga headed on and France defender Gallas wheeled in from the left to head home.

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