The afternoon began in hope but ended in despair for Chelsea as Manchester United retained the Barclays Premier League title.

A second-half strike from Andriy Shevchenko, the substitute, was cancelled out by Kevin Davies’s added-time leveller but the Blues were also left reeling from the loss of captain John Terry with shoulder injury in the first half.

The England defender was stretchered off after clashing with team-mate Petr Cech and Bolton striker Davies and could be out of next week’s Champions League final against Manchester United in Moscow.

Chelsea began surprisingly slowly considering they knew a result better than United’s at the end of the afternoon would see them crowned champions. Bolton, with nothing but pride to play for, gave their hosts little room in midfield in the opening skirmishes.

But in the seventh minute, the title-chasers should have gone in front when Michael Ballack’s low cross from the left found Didier Drogba at the far post.

However, instead of planting the ball into the net, the normally deadly Ivorian shot high and wide of the gaping target.

But with the game only 10 minutes old, Chelsea were dealt a major blow when Terry went down in agony clutching his arm. He received lengthy treatment on the pitch before he was replaced by right back Juliano Belletti and early reports suggested he had partially dislocated his shoulder.

Chelsea continued to push for an opening goal but found Gary Megson’s side in no mood to roll over. Indeed, Bolton’s Matthew Taylor underlined the threat the visitors posed at the other end when he fired a 30-yard drive just wide of Cech’s left-hand upright.

The news of Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty at Wigan left the home fans even more subdued and Terry’s loss had clearly unsettled Avram Grant’s side. Gavin McCann became the second name in Chris Foy’s book when he was adjudged to have fouled Ashley Cole. The booking appeared to be harsh as TV replays showed he won the ball fairly before colliding with Cole.

The free-kick, some 30-yards from goal, provided Frank Lampard with the chance to go one better than Drogba. But the England midfielder smashed his effort straight into the Bolton wall and another opportunity to break the deadlock was lost.

Chelsea’s frustration was growing but Bolton’s rearguard refused to buckle. Joe Cole worked wonders on the right flank to get free of Taylor but the England midfielder’s cross lacked the accuracy required and it fell harmlessly onto the top of Ali Al Habsi’s goal.

In the 42nd minute, a cross from Lampard was turned over the bar by Bolton’s McCann as the home side increased the pressure. When, moments later, another cross from Joe Cole was collected easily by the Bolton goal keeper and, not for the first time this season, the home side looked to have ran of ideas.