Premier League

Chelsea FC were made to toil and work hard to see off a battling and resilient Wigan side rooted right at the bottom of the table. And the 1-0 scoreline amply suggests the close match which we were able to witness. A scrappy and controversial goal was all that Chelsea could muster as they prepare to face Manchester United in the game which could decide their season.

Chelsea began on a regular note with the forwards marauding the opposition backline but without a single goal. Ancelotti started with Drogba and Anelka upfront and reducing Torres to the bench due to his poor run of form. And the first half was a one way attack from the Chelsea side with Lampard and Malouda missing a string of opportunities. Drogba seemed to be in his best form this season providing some wonderful play which would provide plenty of problems for Ancelotti in selections duties. Petr Cech was a mere spectator for most of the match barring some odd runs from the Wigan players. David Luiz particularly seemed to be somewhat off mark in the match.

Chelsea made 3 substitutions which would no doubt please all the Blues fans. On came Yossi Benayoun after seven months and Alex who is back after a thigh injury. The much awaited change finally occurred when the ineffective Anelka made way for torres amidst much cheers from the home crowd who are yet to lose patience over his poor form. But he showed his jittery self when he missed to control a lovely through ball from Luiz. Then amidst a wonderful passage of play, two former Liverpool players linked up in a beautiful manner but Benayoun’s spot on pass to Torres was again beaten by the Wigan custodian. The Chelsea supporters started growing in frustration but suddenly the breakthrough came. A corner from Drogba was parried home by Florent Malouda amidst complains of Torres blocking and fouling the keeper. On any given day, that would have been a foul but Chelsea rode the lady luck to ride home with a scrappy 1-0 victory. Former Chelsea youngster Franco Di Santo provided a brief scare but his header was well blocked by Petr Cech.

Next up is Manchester United at Old Trafford and Chelsea needs to tighten up to avoid the ignominy of bowing out of the competition.

Tags: Chelsea FC, EPL, Football, Premier League, Wigan