Chelsea deny Wigan in smash and grab win

Chelsea 2-1 Wigan Athletic 

Terry 25           Kapo 82

Lampard 90

FRANK LAMPARD secured a dramatic late winner for Chelsea, as Guus Hiddink's 100% record was maintained at home to Wigan Athletic in a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard rose highest to a Michael Ballack flick-on inside the penalty area, to loop the ball over onrushing Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, despite protests that the England midfielder had impeded ex-Blues defender Mario Melchiot in the process.

Wigan had secured a shock equaliser just eight minutes from time when a short throw was taken to Manuel Figueroa, who strode down the left channel before delivering a low cross to the centre for Olivier Kapo to net with a low strike from six yards.

But Chelsea had begun the match promisingly against Steve Bruce's side and took the lead when captain John Terry delivered an emphatic left-foot scissor-kick volley from just inside the area, past Kirkland on 25 minutes.

The victory continues Blues' boss Hiddink's unblemished record as Chelsea interim manager and after Liverpool's 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough at the Riverside and with Manchester United's involvement in the Carling Cup final tomorrow against Spurs, Chelsea moved above the Reds and within seven points of United in to second place.

Although whilst Chelsea dominated for long periods and secured swathes of possession, Hiddink's side lacked a killer instinct in the final third and were almost left punished by the Latics' tenacity.

Furthermore, Wigan opened the game the better side, with potent striker Amr Zaki narrowly missing a chance to hand the visitors the lead on 15 minutes after running free in the area, only for his weak drive to be cleverly diverted wide by Terry for a corner.

Wigan continued with persistent pressure, as firstly defender Paul Scharner found himself unmarked and one-on-one with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech, only for the Czech international to tip the Australian's effort wide of the post on 17 minutes and just four minutes later, Athletic somehow failed to score.

Ex-Ipswich Town and Newcastle United centre half Titus Bramble drilled a header from an inswinging corner at goal, only for Ashley Cole to hack the ball clear off the line, before the resulting clearance found Figueroa, whose rebound was heading in, until Terry rescued Chelsea with an exceptional last-ditch block.

With Chelsea certainly second best in the opening 20 minutes, the hosts needed an injection of width, pace and possession. The Blues soon improved their play and vitally took the lead.

After Ivorian striker Didier Drogba smashed a dipping drive across goal which was deflected for a corner, just a minute later Terry received the ball from just inside the box in a central area and struck a scything scissor-kick drive - which took a minor deflection - past a bewildered Kirkland for 1-0.

It was the Chelsea captain's third goal of the season and his first in the Premier League, whilst Terry becomes the West London club's highest scoring defender in their history.

Chelsea, now in the ascendancy, had good chances to put the result beyond doubt in the opening half and came close through defender Alex from set pieces, a Lampard effort saved by Kirkland and Terry lifting a shot over the bar after the rejuvenated Drogba's shot had been blocked.

Steve Bruce's Wigan needed a return to their incisive and organised midfield demonstration of the opening 20 minutes, again in the second half, but looked more likely to go further behind in the first minutes after the break.

An influential Lampard, provided Drogba a superb chance with an immaculate through ball, which carved apart the Wigan defence, only for Drogba's chip to be swept clear off the line by the impressive Bramble.

The hosts almost extended their lead on 56 minutes when neat combination footwork from Nicolas Anelka and Drogba, resulted in Lampard delivering a wicked cross from the right wing, only for his ball to evade everyone in the penalty area.

But whilst Chelsea appeared comfortable in possession and confident at containing Wigan, the Blues began to sit deeper and after Scharner's free header from the right side of the box flew wide on 79 minutes, Chelsea eventually relinquished their lead.

Just after the competent right-back debutant, Michael Mancienne, was replaced by Ricardo Quaresma for Chelsea, a short throw to the busy Figueroa, was controlled by the Mexican who muscled past Anelka and delivered a pinpoint curling cross to Kapo.

The midfielder, who scored last year at Stamford Bridge for Birmingham City, wrestled free of Terry and Alex and struck a low sidefooted drive past a stuttering Cech for 1-1, who could only get a weak hand to the ball on 82 minutes.

Instantly Chelsea responded and pressured Wigan deeper, desperately trying to force a winner and with the energetic Quaresma's impact proving effective, the Blues got their reward.

After Ballack had just failed to beat Kirkland to a through ball in the area and Quaresma's low cross cannoned off Emerson Boyce amidst wrongful claims of a penalty, Lampard delivered the decisive blow in the last minute of normal time.

The England midfielder netted his ninth league goal of the season and his 15th in all competitions, when a long ball was nodded on by the quiet Ballack, to Lampard, who despite claims of a push in his leap above ex-Chelsea right-back Melchiot, finished with a looping header over Kirkland, much to the raucous delight of the Chelsea fans.

Steve Bruce's side can feel hard done by with the result, but were made to pay for losing their concentration in the final minutes, against a Chelsea side who celebrated with Drogba, Lampard and Terry pumping their fists in the air at the end.

Wigan's result here looks to have ended their European aspirations, whilst Chelsea, despite leaving it late, appear to have found the resolve and mental strength from Hiddink, that their football had lacked under Luiz Felipe Scolari.