Chelsea maintained their stranglehold on the Premiership with a 1-0 win over a Wigan side that came to Stamford Bridge eager to avenge the reverse they suffered in the opening fixture of the season. Whilst the football on display wasn’t always pretty, the result heaps further pressure on those in the chasing pack. With Arsenal losing at Newcastle, it would appear that the challenge to Chelsea’s Premiership crown will now come from Manchester United or Liverpool.
For the fixture, Mourinho chose to make three changes to the team that started against Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Paulo Ferriera made way for Asier Del Horno with William Gallas switching back to the right back position, Joe Cole returned from injury to replace Eidur Gudjohnsen whilst the fit again Hernan Crespo took the place of Didier Drogba who is still struggling with a minor injury.
Wigan manager, Paul Jewell, surprisingly decided to rest Bullard and Camara but had no qualms about starting the match with two strikers up front, a rare event at Stamford Bridge these days for visiting teams.
In a fisrt half with very few chances, Wigan enjoyed more of the possession than Mourinho would have liked them to. At times the visitors looked at ease spraying the ball around the middle areas of the pitch without looking too dangerous up front. However, it was Chelsea that, slowly but surely, began to create those vital half chances that often result in goals. First Essien fired over when set up by Frank Lampard and then a neat flick from Argentine striker, Herna Crespo, sent Joe Cole racing through. Unfortunately, Mike Pollit, in the Wigan goal, reacted smartly to deprive Cole of a goal in his comeback game.
Chelsea then thought that they should have had a penalty. Lampard delivered a free kick into the danger area and John Terry was clearly bundled over by McCullough. Strangely enough, Mr Webb, refereeing the encounter, missed the assault altogether and play simply carried on.
Hernan Crespo was the next player to feel aggrieved. Chelsea won a free kick and when it was taken quickly, Crespo thought his his neat header was goalbound. Sadly, Leighton Baines had other ideas and managed to clear the effort off of the line.
The second half started with Chelsea much the better team. Drogba, on for Duff, found himself one on one with Pollit but once again the keeper triumphed. Pollit was fast becoming the hero of the hour and the keeper had to remain alert to save well from Cole and Lampard as Chelsea began to go through the gears.
You began to get the impression that a goal wasn’t far away and it didn’t come as too much of a surprise that it was ‘Captain Fantastic’ who was to provide it. A corner kick from Lampard headed for the danger area, Terry lost his marker and not even Pollit could keep out his superb header, even if he did manage to get a hand to it. The goal proved to be ample enough for Chelsea to get the three points and move further away at the top of the Premiership.
Perhaps the perfect summary of events came from Wigan manager, Paul Jewell, who remarked, ‘They are a world class side with world class players but they can win scruffy. They can scrap and know how to win a game.’ Thanks Paul.
Player Ratings
Carlo Cudicini
Made a rare appearance as Mourinho chose to rotate his goalkeepers. The likeable Italian has acted as the perfect professional since being replaced by Petr Cech and Mourinho knows that he can be relied upon. Never in serious danger and protected by a magnificent defence.
William Gallas
Still the ‘I’m out of here’ rumours persist but still William puts in the kind of performance that should encourage the Stamford Bridge suits to sit him down and persuade him otherwise. If the rumours become fact, he’ll be sorely missed.
Asier Del Horno
Made several enterprising runs as Mourinho tried to get Chelsea to upset Wigan with crosses directed towards Drogba.
John Terry
Captain Fantastic- man of the match – enough said.
Ricardo Carvalho
Over the last month Ricardo has become the assured defender we witnessed at Euro 2004. Despite facing stern opposition, in William Gallas for his central defensive role, Ricardo has rose to the challenge and now cruises through games. Uses his wonderful sense of anticipation to read the game and is very rarely caught out of position. Fast becoming the perfect foil for John Terry.
Michael Essien
Thrown back into the spotlight after THAT tackle on Dieter Hamman. Showed no signs of the media pressure and played the Makelele holding role with his usual efficiency. Will be sorely missed if UEFA make an example of him (as expected).
Frank Lampard
Could claim an assist for the corner delivery that resulted in the solitary goal of the game. His record number of consecutive Premiership appearances continues and his influence on the team remains a remarkable attribute. Will have better games but take him out of the equation and you just know Chelsea would struggle.
Joe Cole
Recalled to the side after injury and showed all the attributes that have convinced Mourinho that he should be an essential part of the team. Has put his contract talks on hold until the summer but displays like this can only convince Mourinho (and the suits) that he is an integral part of the team. Could have scored when clean through but Mike Pollit reacted well to foil him.
Damien Duff
Sacrificed by Mourinho as the manager sought to introduce an attacking duo of Drogba and Crespo. Not one of his better games but at times still looked influential.
Arjen Robben
Struggling to reach and maintain top form. Showed glimpes against Wigan but didn’t reach the dizzy heights he showed against Middlesbrough last weekend. Match minutes will breed confidence but can Mourinho afford the luxury of someone who is currently off the pace? Replaced in the second half.
Hernan Crespo
Recalled to the starting eleven after recovering from his rib injury. His movement, along the line, remains top class and thought he’d scored with a snap routine from a free kick but Baines remained alert and cleared off of the line. Played alongside Didier Drogba for a large part of the second half as Mourinho chased that decisive goal that would secure victory.
Dider Drogba
Replaced Damien Duff as Mourinho chose to go with a central attacking pair to try and ruffle a superbly marshalled WIgan defence.
Eidur Gudjohnsen
Replaced Arjen Robben as Mourinho looked to change the attacking impetus. Sat at the front of the midfield, just behind the strikers, to use his ball skills to try and create chances.
Joe Cole
Replaced Hernan Crespo as Mourinho sought to bolster the midfield once that decisive breakthrough had been made.
Manager Rating
Jose Mourinho, in the eyes of all Chelsea supporters, can do no wrong. His charm, wit and sheer tactical genius helps to grind out results even when a stalemate looks inevitable. Wasn’t afraid to throw Michael Essien back into the spotlight and gave Carlo Cudicini a rare opportunity in the limelight. Man management remains one of his greatest traits. Long may he reign.
Opponent Rating
Paul Jewell – Dave Whelan, Wigan chairman and owner, indicated that he’d decided to give Jewell the job straight after interviewing him, he’s obviously a fine judge. Jewell is a dimaond amongst manager’s and has worked wonders to get Wigan where they are. He shouldn’t be too disheartened by successive defeats against Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea as he knew that particular run of fixtures was always going to be tough. Brave enough to come to Stamford Bridge and play two up front and ensured life was made hard for Chelsea by getting his team to defend resolutely, close the opposition down and fight for the badge on their shirts. Don’t be surprised if Mourinho praises the ex-Liverpool player who is fast becoming a mangerial name in the Premiership.
Clean Sheets
Despite rotating the defence, Chelsea kept a sixth successive clean sheet with the defence looking ominously mean, almost Scrooge like, as the festive season approaches.
Arsenal Fall Away
Arsenal losing at Newcastle effectively means the Gunners have to beat Chelsea next weekend to have only a feint chance of rekindling their fast fading dream of winning the Premiership.
Joe Cole
Returned to the side and looked the class act he is. If he continues in this vein of form that midfield place in the England squad will become his own.