Ancelotti backs 'pensioners' to carry on winning

Carlo Ancelotti warned that his work in English football has only just begun as he savoured clinching the Premier League title at the first attempt.

On Sunday, Chelsea clinched the championship for the first time since Jose Mourinho led the club to back-to-back triumphs in 2005 and 2006 with a crushing 8-0 defeat of Wigan.

The victory meant Chelsea finished one point ahead of Manchester United and broke Alex Ferguson's team's three-year hold on the title.

In doing so, the Blues scored 103 league goals, becoming the first club to pass the century mark during a Premier League season while Didier Drogba's second-half hat-trick ensured the Ivorian took his personal tally to 29 goals to collect the Golden Boot award ahead of United's Wayne Rooney.

And Ancelotti believes there will be more success to come from this squad despite the significant number of players who are now over 30.

"I think that this club will have a future because these players are not so old and we have a very good squad, for next year and the years after," he said.

The Italian was delighted with the way his squad responded to the pressure of having to win their final match, albeit against a Wigan side seriously depleted by injuries and with one of the worst away records in the division.

"We played a good match and won, and that was our aim. To win this game and close this title. We are very happy and I want to say a lot of thanks: to my owner, Roman Abramovich; to my club and everyone who worked with me in this season, supporting me every day; and above all my players.

"I found a fantastic team here who worked very well every day, maintaining a good atmosphere as a team. We won this title because we played as a team and worked as a team, everyone.

"Not only the players. Everyone at the club who was involved this season wanted to win this title and, in the end, everyone did a fantastic job.

"It's a fantastic moment. I'm happy to have done this in my first season. I had a lot of help because I found a team and a club with fantastic organisation. So it was easy for me to do my best."

Ancelotti said home and away wins over United had been the foundation for his side's triumph.

"They were the key for this title because that improved our confidence and sent United a little bit down," he said.

Chelsea's focus will now turn to next weekend's FA Cup final when they can complete a league and cup double for the first time in the club's history by beating Portsmouth.

Then the manager will review his playing staff and sit down with club supremo Roman Abramovich and other officials to discuss his summer transfer plans.

"For now, we have time to think about this," added the Italian.

"We will take decisions about the future together, how we did this season. I think this team doesn't need to change a lot of things. Every player did a fantastic job this season."

Midfielder Frank Lampard, scorer of Chelsea's second goal from the penalty spot, insisted this title triumph equalled the success the club enjoyed under Mourinho.

"It's right up there, the way we've done it and finished the season in such style," said the England international.

"It's been fantastic. We deserved to come out on top in the end.

"We've had little ups and downs along the way.

"The first two titles we won relatively easily. They were very special because they were the first ones, but with the difficulties we've had this year, that was very special."

Five moments that won the title for Chelsea

November 8, 2009

Chelsea 1 Man Utd 0

John Terry helped his side open up a five-point lead at the top as the defender's 76th-minute header from Frank Lampard's free-kick clinched a hard-fought win in boss Carlo Ancelotti's first league clash with Alex Ferguson's men.

November 29, 2009

Arsenal 0 Chelsea 3

Carlo Ancelotti's team delivered a substantial blow to their London rivals' title challenge with an imperious display. Didier Drogba opened the scoring from Ashley Cole's cross before Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen turned another Cole cross into his own net moments later. Drogba continued his fine record against Arsenal with a late free-kick to move Chelsea 11 points clear of the Gunners.

March 27, 2010

Chelsea 7 Aston Villa 1

Frank Lampard scored four times as the leaders demolished Villa to erase the painful memories of their recent Champions League exit against Jose Mourinho's Inter. Lampard's quadruple, a double from Florent Malouda and a Salomon Kalou strike ensured Chelsea stayed just one point behind Manchester United.

April 3, 2010

Man Utd 1 Chelsea 2

The Blues seized control of the title race as goals from Joe Cole and Didier Drogba stunned Old Trafford. Cole struck with a clever back-flick in the 20th minute and Drogba came off the bench to net in the 79th minute despite United appeals for offside. Federico Macheda's late goal wasn't enough to stop Chelsea going above United, two points clear at the top.

May 2, 2010

Liverpool 0 Chelsea 2

Steven Gerrard's careless back-pass allowed Didier Drogba to open the scoring at Anfield and put Chelsea on course for victory in the toughest fixture of their run-in. Frank Lampard stabbed in the second to put the Blues within touching distance of the title.