The Blues administer a baptism of fire to Premiership new boys Wigan when Hernan Crespo snatches a last-minute winner at the JJB Stadium in their first League fixture of the season

Fresh from their defeat by Chelsea in the Community Shield, Arsenal are next in the firing line as Didier Drogba's strike earns the hosts three points at Stamford Bridge

A brace from Frank Lampard and goals from Drogba and Joe Cole complete a 4-0 drubbing of West Brom as the title holders bank maximum points from their first three games

The Blues go from strength to strength in October with a thumping 4-1 win against Liverpool at Anfield and a 5-1 trouncing of Bolton at Stamford Bridge

Everton finally bring an end to Chelsea's nine-game winning streak, overcoming their own miserable start to the season to hold the defending champions to a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park

And Manchester United, smarting from disappointment in Europe, spoil Chelsea's 40-match unbeaten run in the League after Darren Fletcher's winning header at Old Trafford

With wins in 20 out of 22 of their first fixtures, though, Chelsea still look to have opened up an unassailable lead in the table by January when they draw 1-1 with Charlton

The title charge looks in danger of running out of steam slightly in February when Middlesbrough manage to put three past Chelsea without reply

And Chelsea leave a bad-tempered west-London derby against Fulham empty-handed, just as Manchester United close the gap on the leaders with a string of impressive wins

Going in to April, the gap at the top of the table has shrunk to seven after Birmingham restrict Chelsea to a draw and Manchester United overcome Bolton 2-1

The margin remains at seven points after a crucial weekend's action in which 10-man Chelsea prove too much for West Ham and Man Utd see off Arsenal 2-0 at Old Trafford

But Manchester United miss a golden chance to narrow the gap to four when relegation-bound Sunderland hold them to a draw at Old Trafford

And Chelsea stretch their lead to nine points with a 2-0 win over Bolton that means victory over Everton on Easter Monday will seal the title, if Man United fail to beat Spurs

Chelsea beat Everton 3-0 to bring the title within one point and set up a showdown against Manchester United after two Wayne Rooney goals sink Spurs in the early kick-off

William Gallas scores the opener as Chelsea romp to a 3-0 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge - wrapping up their second successive Premiership title

Skipper John Terry lifts the Premiership trophy at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea start to celebrate another highly successful Premiership campaign in style

After the match Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says "it is a fantastic feeling" after he guides the side to further success