Chelsea vs Wigan Player Ratings

Chelsea were made to work for the win after an industrous performance from Wigan. The Latics will feel hard done by when they conceded the first goal with replays showing that Branislav Ivanovic was offside when he poked the ball into the net.

However, Mohamed Diame did well to blast home a deserved equaliser but Chelsea held strong and snatched a winner after Fernando Torres unleashed a venomous volley into the post for Juan Mata to bundle home.

Chelsea

Petr Cech - 6
All he could do was stand and watch the ball fly into the back of the net after Diame's ferocious strike. Did not have much to do otherwise.

Gary Cahill - 7
A towering figure at the back in the absence of Terry and had an easy time against the likes of Moses and Di Santo.

David Luiz - 7
The back four wasn't troubled much, allowing him much time and space to advance with the ball.

Ryan Bertrand - 7
A worthy replacement for the rested Cole. He didn't contribute much going forward in comparison to the England international, but he carried out his defensive duties diligently and effectively.

Branislav Ivanovic - 8
Why didn't the linesman raise his flag is the burning question on everyone's mind. His goal stood nonetheless but mere seconds after kick-off, he came to the rescue with a clearance off the line after a Di Santo shot.

Raul Meireles - 5.5
Probably one of Chelsea's worst purchases, second to Torres. Did not create much chances and could not keep possession for the team.

Michael Essien (74' off) - 5.5
Didn't have much "rear-guarding" to do as Wigan barely posed a threat but looked unsure of himself .

Florent Malouda (59' off) - 4
So unlike him to be unable to contribute in a Chelsea jersey. Would be down the pecking order behind Mata and Kalou if he doesn't buck up.

Juan Mata - 7
A stoppage time winner and Chelsea have their first back to back victory since the beginning of the year. It was nothing spectacular, but he was just at the right place at the right time to tap the ball into an unguarded net.

Daniel Sturridge - 5.5
His finishing abandoned him in this game. For the first time there was another player on the pitch worst than Torres.

Didier Drogba - 7
Could have gotten himself a hat-trick after he had two point blank headers kept out by Al Habsi and another cleared off the line.

Substitutions

Fernando Torres (59' on) - 6.5
Nobody would want to buy a pair of Nikes after watching him slip repeatedly. It was his first time shot that hit the post which resulted in a simplest of tap ins for Mata.

John Obi Mikel (74' on)
N/A

Wigan Athletic

Ali Al Habsi - 9
A series of acrobatic saves to keep the score line respectable and he would have been the hero if not for that late goal from Mata.

Maynor Figueroa - 7
Used his physical presence and his pace well in the heart of the Wigan central defence, going forward whenever he could as well.

Gary Caldwell - 7
The defensive trio surprisingly gave Chelsea a headache as they had no solution for Wigan's three man wall. Some poor decisions made from the linesman robbed them of their point.

Antolín Alcaraz - 7
Did a splendid job considering he was up against the mighty Drogba, matching him in the air and was not easily pushed around.

Jean Beausejour (71' off) - 5.5
The insignificant 11th man on the pitch just ran around to make the numbers. Should have been taken off much earlier.

Emmerson Boyce - 6.5
Reduced Sturridge to ashes with his no nonsense defending and his positive runs up and down the flank.

James McArthur (71' off) - 6.5
Both the James' did a immaculate job in the middle of the park, but it may not be a fairytale ending for them if Frank Lampard was on the pitch.

James McCarthy - 6.5
Annoyed the Chelsea midfielders all match and refused to give in, despite going a goal down.

Shaun Maloney - 7
Had the legs to cover almost every blade of grass on the pitch and was not afraid to run at the Chelsea defenders, without neglecting his defensive duties.

Victor Moses - 8.5
Single handedly carried his team with an impressive work rate and a belief to get something out of the game.

Franco Di Santo (80' off) - 6
An average performance from the former Chelsea man whose only noticeable contribution was that shot that was cleared off the line by Ivanovic.

Substitutions

Ben Watson (71' on) - 6.5
An inspiring double substitution as he provided the assist for the equalizer. Caused problems with his passes as well.

Mohamed Diame (71' on) - 7.5
His first goal since last October, and what a time to get it! Great piece of skill and his shot left Cech rooted to the ground.

Conor Sammon (80' on)
N/A