News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » Chelsea win Premiership

Chelsea win Premiership

May 01, 2005 08:50 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Chelsea celebrated their first championship for 50 years on Saturday, spraying their travelling fans with champagne after beating Bolton Wanderers 2-0.

Manager Jose Mourinho rushed on to the pitch at the whistle with his bench in tow and embraced the players, then withdrew while they danced in front of the supporters in the away corner of the Reebok Stadium

The London side, now an unassailable 14 points in front of Arsenal wanted to wrap up the title before Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Liverpool.

After a tough first half when Bolton made all the running, they took control with two Frank Lampard goals after 60 and 76 minutes.

Lampard and skipper John Terry, shirts flung into the crowd, were the last to leave the pitch, serenaded by their fans who continued to sing long after the pitch was empty.

The 3,000 travelling supporters lucky enough to have tickets for the game filled the stadium with triumphant chants including "There's only one Frankie Lampard" and "Jose Mourinho" to the tune of La donna e mobile.

One over-enthusiastic supporter rushed on to the pitch and was bundled away by police but the incident could not detract from the joyous atmosphere.

The fans spent the dying moments bouncing up and down as Mourinho's bench collected in a row on the touchline arms locked.

Twenty minutes after the final whistle many of the players, together with owner Roman Abramovich, returned to the pitch to take more acclaim from their fans who were anxious to milk every moment from their special day.

The champagne has disappeared, however, as attention turned to Tuesday's task at Anfield.

When the players were eventually ready to leave, the fans surrounded the team bus still cheering wildly.

Striker Didier Drogba and midfielder Joe Cole responded by climbing through the skylight to dance on the roof of the bus, much to the joy of the fans - and the consternation of the coaching staff.

There were no falls, however, as the squad departed intact to start planning the third leg of their targeted treble having won the League Cup in February.

In London, hundreds of celebrating fans congregated outside the club's Stamford Bridge ground - where the Premier League trophy will be presented next Saturday when Chelsea play Charlton Athletic.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024