Chelsea 1 Wigan Athletic 0

The two previous meetings between Wigan Athletic and Chelsea had seen Roberto Martinez’ side concede 14 goals without reply and this outing was expected to be a tough encounter for a club languishing at the foot of the Premier League table with time rapidly running out in their battle for top flight survival.

However a much improved and settled side almost grabbed a result that would have gone a very long way to ensure that they would be competing among the elite for a seventh consecutive campaign.

Chelsea pressured Wigan throughout the game but a combination of solid defending with another outstanding performance from keeper Ali Al Habsi kept the champions at bay.

Wigan showed some decent touches and Ancelotti’s charges were left to look pretty ordinary at times and it took a scrappy goal to decide the game in favour of the home side.

A Didier Drogba corner was headed goalbound by Brazilian David Luiz but and then came the controversial moment.

Al Habsi tried desperately to clear but could only get the slightest of touch on the ball as Chelsea substitute Fernando Torres had his arm across the Wigan keeper’s face to impede his view and his progress allowing the ball to land at the feet of Florent Malouda who rifled the ball home through a melee of players.

One can understand the frustation displayed by Martinez at full time because the decision by World Cup Final referee Howard Webb not to penalise Torres for his obstruction on Al Habsi had potentially denied Wigan a valuable point at the end of the day.

Also Al Habsi had performed superbly between the posts thwarting both Drogba and Torres with saves that were up there with the best and to be denied a second straight clean sheet in such circumstances was a bit harsh on the Omani keeper.

Wigan almost found themselves behind within the first two minutes but Frank Lampard couldn’t find enough purchase on the ball after Drogba had got the better of Alcaraz and set him up in the box with Ramires also failing to capitalise on the rebound.

Al Habsi was called into action moments later after Chelsea earned themselves a free-kick in a dangerous position which Drogba fired in forcing a save from the Wigan keeper.

Wigan were riding there luck a bit in the opening exchanges but they eventually found their momentum and Charles N’Zogbia was unfortunate to be flagged offside after Ben Watson had sent him clear on goal.

The decision was a tight one to say the least and you would have put money on the French midfielder getting a shot on goal had he been allowed to continue with his run.