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Chelsea logo
Premier League
Feb 9, 2013 at 3pm UK
 
Wigan logo

4-1

Ramires (23'), Lampard (86'), Hazard (56'), Marin (90')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Maloney (58')

Match Analysis: Chelsea 4-1 Wigan Athletic

Sports Mole picks the bones out of Chelsea's comfortable victory over Wigan this afternoon.

Chelsea put an end to a run of four games without a win by comfortably seeing off Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Ramires put the Blues ahead in the first half before second-half goals from Eden Hazard, Frank Lampard and Marko Marin put the icing on the cake.

Shaun Maloney grabbed a goal for Wigan to pull it back to 2-1 but the visitors, who haven't won in the league since November 24, didn't threaten an equaliser.

Here, Sports Mole reflects on a return to winning ways for Rafael Benitez's side.

Match statistics:

Chelsea:
Shots 25
On target 17
Possession 47%
Corners 10
Fouls 9

Wigan:
Shots 13
On target 10
Possession 53%
Corners 6
Fouls 13

Was the result fair?

Oh, yes. Wigan may have statistically had more possession but they very rarely threatened the Chelsea defence. The Blues had far more shots and won't have many easier games this season.

Chelsea's performance

Benitez's men were low on confidence going into this one and were without their top player, Juan Mata, from the start because of a cold. They started slowly but were soon into their stride and looked extremely comfortable after taking the lead through Ramires. Defensively they were fairly sound but will be displeased at how easily Maloney sprung the offside trap to pull one back.

Wigan's performance

It was never going to be easy for the Latics and, despite a positive start, they never looked like they had a chance of taking anything back up north. It was too easy for Chelsea to score their goals and Roberto Martinez will be will hope that some of the issues will be ironed out by the next league game against fellow strugglers Reading.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Frank Lampard: The veteran, who last week became the first man to score 10 or more goals in 10 consecutive Premier League seasons, was again on the scoresheet with a crisp drive from 18 yards today. His passing throughout was assured and securing his services for next season has to be a priority for Roman and co.

Referee performance

It was an easy game for Mike Dean to referee. He could have awarded Wigan a penalty when Ronnie Stam's shot hit Ashley Cole's hand, but the England left-back was only a few feet away and had absolutely no time to move his arm.

What next?

Chelsea: Next up for Chelsea is a trip to Prague for a last 32 Europa League clash on Thursday before an fourth-round FA Cup replay against Brentford on Sunday.

Wigan: Wigan take on either Huddersfield or Leicester in the fifth round of the Cup on Sunday before the relegation six-pointer against Reading on Saturday 23.

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Chelsea players congratulate Eden Hazard after he scored his team's second goal against Wigan on February 9, 2013
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