Latics Sunk By Late Goal

Wigan Athletic came to face Chelsea with a mini injury crisis but you would never have guessed by the way they set about the task and in the end were desperately unlucky not to get at least a point following Frank Lampards 91st minute winner.

With time ticking out at the end Lampard rose at the far post and looped a header over Chris Kirkland though there was a suspicion of a shove on Mario Melchiot the referee, Lee Probert, allowed the goal to stand, much to the annoyance of Latics boss Steve Bruce.

Latics started off well and had the first real chance of the game when Paul Scharner, playing in midfield for the suspended Ben Watson, found himself through on goal with only Cech to beat, N`Zogbia was to Scharners left totally unmarked but no one could dispute Scharners choice to go for goal himself, only the execution.

A tame drive was easily turned round the post by the Chelsea keeper and the chance for an early lead drifted away.

The first 20 minutes were all the Latics as they forced six corners and from one of these Bramble saw a goal bound header cleared of the line by Chelsea left back Ashley Cole, the home side looked shell shocked.

Chelsea though took the lead against the run of play when a corner from the left was cleared to John Terry on the edge of the area who hit a first time lob come shot that was heading into the hands of Latics keeper Chris Kirkland until the ball deflected off Emerson Boyce and past the stranded keeper into the net.

The goal rocked Latics for a while and Chelsea grew in confidence but the first half ended 1-0 to the home team.

The second half was very well contested by both sides and there were chances at either end, Bramble doing magnificently to turn away a Drogba shot after the striker had rounded Kirkland and at the other end Scharner placing a bullet header high wide and handsome when he had more time to control his effort.

Latics finally got the equaliser in the 82nd minute when Maynor Figueroa cut inside on the left and crossed for Olivier Kapo, who had a good game, to turn in the effort at the near post, that looked like that and with the game drifting to a draw Chelsea stole in at the death with Lampard heading in at the far post to give Chelsea all three points.

All in all a good performance by two teams who were committed to playing open attractive football

Titus Bramble - absolutely magnificent game, defended superbly and he was a constant threat to Chelsea at set pieces
Some good stops but perhaps could have done a little better with the last goal Some good attacks down the right but again he could have been a little stronger on the Lampard goal Simply awesome, he is an absolute cracker of a player, he must be the first name on Brucies team sheet each week and he had another blinder here today Mr Vesatile and Mr Reliable rolled into one, super game Another great game from the Honduran, he has certainly stepped out of the shadows now that his mate Wilson has gone, set up Kapo's goal with some great attacking play Decent game from the madcap Austrian but he should have done better when he was one on one with Chelsea keeper Cech in the first half Another guttsy performance from Catts, he broke up so many Chelsea attacks that I lost count, unfortunately picked up another booking so is set for a two match suspension Just like Boyce, Brownie is defo a Mr Reliable, a rock steady performance Settling in more now and it showed with a good display of attacking football, what I like about the little Frenchman is that he will stick his foot in as well Best game that Kapo has had for the Latics and he scored to cap it off, nice one Olivier A powerful performance from the Egypt international, ran the front-line on his own and never stopped chasing and harrying all afternoon Linked well with Zaki when he came on, fast and direct Not on long enough to show anything really

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