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Chelsea
returned to winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Wigan Athletic at Stamford
Bridge, but the scoreline was somewhat flattering.
Rafa Benitez's side won their first game in three outings but this was anything
but an impressive display and Wigan will feel they could have taken something
from their trip to west London.
The opener was a brilliant move as David Luiz and Fernando Torres teed up
Ramires for his sixth goal of the season.
Eden Hazard added a second just before the hour but moments later Shaun Maloney
sprung Chelsea's offside trap before rounding Petr Cech and finishing.
Chelsea put the game to bed with two goals in the final few minutes, Frank
Lampard coolly slotting home from the edge of the box before German substitute
Marko Marin headed his first goal for the club.
Cech was tested twice early on, Franco Di Santo forcing him to save with his
feet before Maloney stretched the Czech international with a curling effort.
After fluffing a decent chance, Torres turned provider for the opening goal when
he played a first-time pass to Ramires, who lifted the ball over Ali Al-Habsi.
Wigan's attempt to reply before half-time was aided when an Oscar pass hit
referee Mike Dean and rolled into Maloney's path, but his cross was cleared by
Cesar Azpilicueta with James McArthur lurking.
Chelsea doubled their advantage on 56 minutes when Cesar Azpilicueta played a
low cross inside to Hazard and the Belgian struck a first-time shot into the
net.
Wigan's response was almost immediate, Maloney producing a sweet finish after
beating the offside trap, rounding Cech and netting from an acute angle.
Wigan had claims for a penalty turned down when Ronnie Stam's shot appeared to
hit Ashley Cole's arm, but their hopes of snatching a point were dashed by
Lampard on 86 minutes.
Hazard took the ball down the left and passed across the area, where Juan Mata's
dummy allowed Lampard to pick his spot with a drilled shot into the bottom
corner.
A fourth came when Al Habsi could only parry a swerving shot from Azpilicueta
and substitute Marin headed in the rebound.
Click Here For Official Teamsheet
Teams
Chelsea Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill (Benayoun 88), Cole, Luiz,
Ramires, Lampard, Oscar (Mata 77), Hazard (Marin 90), Torres
Subs Not Used Turnbull, Ferreira, Bertrand, Ba
Booked Marin
Goals Ramires 23, Hazard 56, Lampard 86, Marin 90
Wigan Athletic Al Habsi, Scharner, Caldwell, Figueroa,
Stam (Jones 83), McArthur, McCarthy, Espinoza (Kone 59), Beausejour, Di Santo,
Maloney
Subs Not Used Robles, Golobar, Gomez, McManaman, Henriquez
Booked Scharner, Figueroa
Goals Maloney 58
Attendance 41,562
Referee M. Dean