Wigan 3 - 1 Chelsea

After home wins against Porto (1-0), Spurs (3-0) and QPR (1-0) we're off to the JJB to face Wigan with a full strength squad that has Zirkov on the bench but surprisingly no place for Joe Cole. The Jedi comes in for Ballack in a holding role and the Drog has shaken off his calf injury to start up top

Its a bright opening 10mins for the Blues with Lamps and Ess both testing Kirkland early on but its Wigan who take the lead as Bramble rises unmarked to head home from a simple N'Zogbia cross with 15mins on the clock. Thomas brings Drogba down with a clumsy challenge on the edge of the box the resulting free kick is easily gathered. Wigan are nearly two up on the half hour as Scharner is allowed a free run but his shot goes over the bar. The Blues are looking a bit leg weary and Wigan are dangerous on the break. On 37mins, Jason Scotland is clean through on goal and only a last ditch tackle from JT save the Blues but from the corner another flighted cross causes havoc in the blues defence. Fortunately Cech smothers Boyce's effort. A half that the Blues will want to forget ends 1-0 and Carlo does not look happy.

Belletti replaces the Jedi at the start of the second half and within a minute the Blues are level. Malouda weaves into the box and finds Drogba who's snap side foot squeezes between Kirklands legs. That's 1-1 but 4mins later Cech brings down Rodellega as he breaks into the box. Its a straight red, a penalty and Hilario has to rush on to face the spot kick replacing Malouda. Rodellega steps up and its 2-1 but the replays show it as a soft "Eduardo" penalty. Its end to end stuff with Wigan still having the better of the exchanges so Carlo throws on Kalou for Bosingwa with 15mins to go. Its a ballsy call but we'll see if its effective. Cole brings down N'Zogbia on the edge of the box and fortunately Rodellega's free kick is just too high. On 83mins Drogba wriggles free in the box and chips to Lamps but he heads well over. Chelsea are down to 9 men as Cole limps off and Ess fills in as temporary left back with 5mins of added time on the clock but its all over as Figueroa skips into the box and his cross/shot is slid home by Scharner. It ends 3-1 on a sorry afternoon at the JJB.