WAYNE Rooney was carried from the pitch on a stretcher with his World Cup dreams in disarray as United slumped to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of league champions Chelsea.

Injury to Manchester United's England star, just 42 days before England start their World Cup bid, marred the championship party at Stamford Bridge.

Goals from William Gallas, Joe Cole and Ricardo Carvalho gave Chelsea a thumping win over their nearest rivals.

The Premiership trophy will spend another year at Stamford Bridge but the injury to Rooney could turn out to be a massive blow to England.

To make matters worse for Sven-Goran Eriksson, John Terry ended the game hobbling badly after a crunching early challenge from Rooney.

United striker Rooney was hurt 12 minutes from time in a fair tackle from Paulo Ferreira.

The Chelsea full-back timed his tackle well and won the ball but Rooney tumbled awkwardly.

He rolled around in agony, clutching his right foot.

Treatment

It looked serious and he was carried off after lengthy treatment.

He was applauded by the 42,000 crowd, who were all aware of the consequences of what they had seen.

Rooney's team were outplayed but the striker had shown flashes of his raw talent.

Gallas nodded Chelsea ahead in the fifth minute after Didier Drogba had climbed highest to win a corner from Frank Lampard.

United claimed Lampard had fouled Cristiano Ronaldo in the build up to the move which forced the corner. They had a case but referee Mike Dean did not agree.

Mourinho leapt to his feet. A finger to the temple and two palms pressed towards the floor warned his team not to lose concentration and to stay cool.

The title was almost there.

Rooney left John Terry writhing on the ground in agony, early in the game.

Rooney's studs crashed into Terry's shin as the pair challenged for a loose ball.

No foul was given but play stopped seconds later when Rooney clattered Ferreira.

The United striker escaped a yellow card but Petr Cech was booked for racing out of his goal to complain about the tackle on Terry.

Chelsea's captain, not normally one to surrender to pain, needed lengthy treatment on the pitch.

He dragged himself to his feet and continued but he looked uncomfortable.

Rooney burst clear of the Blues defence with a brilliant explosion of pace, in the 22nd minute.

Miscued

He picked up the ball when it spilled out of a Terry tackle on Saha and accelerated clear of Terry and Ricardo Carvalho.

Rooney then side-stepped Ferreira but miscued his shot when he only had Cech to beat.

It rolled harmlessly wide and was to prove United's best chance of the game.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team pressed hard either side of half-time but could not find a way through.

And Cole ended their faint hopes with a beautiful solo goal in the 61st minute.

He picked up the ball, 25 yards from goal and twisted clear of Ferdinand and Mikael Silvestre with a twinkle-toed trick.

Cole dragged the ball quickly under the studs of one boot, then the other, turned injected a burst of pace and was away.

Van der Sar rushed out to narrow his options but Cole stayed cool, slotting the ball past the big Dutchman.

He ripped off his shirt and sprinted to celebrate with Chelsea fans. They could sense the title was secure.

Ref Dean booked Cole for his celebration but nothing could dampen the mood of Chelsea fans - not even Rooney's injury - and Carvalho added a third when Cole's pass found him free on the edge of the area.

How big a blow could Rooney's injury be for England? Have your say.