THE PERFECTIONIST IN José Mourinho could probably have added a few improvements, but for mere mortals it is difficult to conceive of a better way for Chelsea to seal their second successive Barclays Premiership title.

This humiliating defeat of their nearest rivals encapsulated all the qualities that make them such worthy champions — utterly dominant, completely controlled and dangerous when pressed. Manchester United, on the other hand, resembled a one-man team, until Wayne Rooney’s late withdrawal, raising the alarming prospect of England looking similarly lightweight in his absence this summer.

Chelsea’s success, by contrast, is based on the triumph of the collective over the individual, although it was fitting that as their hour of glory approached their leading lights shone. John Terry battled bravely after having ten stitches in a foot to receive his reward by lifting the trophy, Joe Cole marked his return to first-team favour with a brilliant individual goal and even the unsung William Gallas got in on the act, scoring the opener in what may have been his final match at Stamford Bridge. The only thing missing from Chelsea’s perfect day was another goal from Frank Lampard.

After the previous weekend’s aberration against Liverpool, it was little surprise that a return to Chelsea’s 4-3-3 system with two wingers should bring an immediate improvement, although this was not a day for recriminations. Mourinho had enough complaints of his own, but after finishing a lengthy discourse on his favourite subject — ie, himself — he eventually got round to praising his players, particularly the English trio of Terry, Cole and Lampard. The Portuguese has pledged to help England’s World Cup campaign by resting them until the end of the season and, with Terry leaving the stadium on crutches, he could do with putting his feet up.

“JT played last season in unbelievably bad circumstances (after suffering a toe injury that required an operation) and he went out and played as a captain on the day to lead us,” Mourinho said. “Some people have a pain threshold very low, and others have it very high. I think it is difficult to be a better player. The next jump for JT is for people to look at him as the big player he really is. And for me he is the best central defender in the world, the best. I could not have inherited a better leader of my side.

“I think Lampard is a different kind of person. He is a fantastic JT shadow. Frank is not so emotional, not showing so much his feelings, not expressing that. But in the day-by-day squad life he’s a fantastic shadow for the captain. I cannot separate them.”

Mourinho’s relationship with Cole is subtly different, the troublesome teenager to the impatient teacher, although despite growing pains, he continues to mature.

“My emotional relationship with Joe is just because he has to play from the first day to the last day for José Mourinho and Chelsea,” Mourinho said. “He has to play thinking about me and thinking about Chelsea, nothing else. When he was chasing that status, that level, he was doing that. Then he lost the status and the team lost a very important player. And now he is coming back to reality.”

For all his ability, Cole’s workrate matches that of his manager. “Whenever something has not gone right for me I have always come back, worked hard and got my nut down,” he said. “I am not the type of player to sulk or get upset or anything. I just come back and try and do my best and that has always served me well, and got to me to where I am today, a champion of the Premier League.”

The manager may not be happy, but on Saturday afternoon at least, Chelsea’s players and fans were ecstatic.

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