Barclays Premier League at the JJB Stadium, Wigan on Sunday, August 24, 2008.

Chelsea (4-1-4-1) Cech; Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry (c), A Cole (Bridge 82); J Cole (Kalou 57), Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Deco; Anelka (Malouda 88).

Unused subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Belletti, Alex .

Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari

Wigan (4-4-2) Pollitt, Melchiot (c) (Camara 84), Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa; Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios (Kapo 79), Koumas (De Ridder h-t); Zaki, Heskey.

Unused subs: Nash, Brown, Kilbane, Sibierski.

Manager Steve Bruce

Referee Alan Wiley

Environment: Bright and sunny afternoon in the north-west.

Attendance: 18,139

Kit: Wigan - blue and white striped shirts, blue shorts and white socks. Chelsea - all in black.

First-half

Kick- off Wigan

3 CHELSEA GOAL Deco lines up a free-kick from 25 yards, and sends it flying into the far top corner. A simply brilliant goal that betters his effort at the Bridge last week. What a start!

4 Fightback Wigan get into the Chelsea area and Wilson Palacios fires in a shot from a tight angle. Petr Cech has to be alert to turn it around the post for a corner.

7 Pressure More Wigan attacking, and Cech has to save one-on-one from Amr Zaki. It looks like it could be a tough afternoon for Scolari's men.

13 Yellow card John Terry is booked for a tug on Emile Heskey down the Chelsea left.

16 Close Ricardo Carvalho heads just over from a Frank Lampard corner. Chelsea just starting to settle,

23 Roving Deco spreads the ball wide to the left corner of the Wigan area, picking out the advanced Ashley Cole. The left-back volleys first time, but the shot bounces wide.

25 Save Cech again dives to deny Zaki, who had fired a left-footed shot towards goal after a slick Wigan move. Wigan currently find themselves well on top, with only Titus Bramble in his own half.

35 Chance Anelka gets to the by-line and crosses looking for Ballack, but Emmerson Boyce gets the header away before the German connects.

36 Header This time it's the Frenchman in a central position, flicking Ashley Cole's inswinging free-kick over the bar.

40 Appeal Anelka goes down inside the area after turning inside Emmerson Boyce, but referee Alan Wiley waves away the calls for a penalty. It will be interesting to see the replays.

Stoppage time: 2 mins

Half-time: Wigan 0 Chelsea 1

Wigan Substitution: Daniel De Ridder replaces Jason Joumas on the left flank.

Second-half

Kick-off Chelsea

48 Abused Cattermole dives in late on Michael Essien and is booked.

57 Chelsea substitution Salomon Kalou returns from Olympic duty for his first appearance of the season, replacing Joe Cole.

66 Shot Michael Essien registeres Chelsea's first shot on target since Deco's goal 63 minutes previously. Mike Pollitt handles it comfortably.

73 Yellow card Carvalho is booked for an alleged trip of Zaki, who seems to have conned the ref into giving him a free-kick.

79 Wigan substitution Frenchman Olivier Kapo enters the action at the expense of Wilson Palacios, who has been at the centre of much of Wigan's creativity today.

82 Chelsea substitution Ashley Cole is withdrawn with what looks like a hamstring problem, and Wayne Bridge replaces him in a straight swap.

84 Wigan substitution Henri Camara replaces former Chelsea man Mario Melchio as Steve Bruces chases a point.

87 Saviour Cech tips an Henri Camara drive around the post to keep Chelsea in front, and then catches the resultant corner. It was a superb stop and looks likely to hand the Blues three points.

88 Chelsea substitution Florent Malouda comes on for Anelka for the last two minutes.

Stoppage time: 4 minutes

Full-time: Wigan 0 Chelsea 1

Shots on target Wigan 5 Chelsea 2

Corners Wigan 6 Chelsea 7

Fouls Wigan 13 Chelsea 17

Offsides Wigan 1 Chelsea 5

Comment

Our first away league game of the season resulted in victory, our fourth straight win at the JJB Stadium since 2005.

In avoiding defeat, we remain the only team unbeaten in the Premier League in 2008 (excluding Hull City, who have played just twice, drawing one and winning one).

Birthday boy José Bosingwa turned 26 today, while compatriot Deco will be 31 on Wednesday.

Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari made just one change to the side that so comfortably beat Portsmouth a week ago - Michael Essien playing his first game since the Lokomotiv Moscow friendly on August 1, replacing John Mikel Obi.

Michael Ballack had recovered sufficiently from his ankle injury to take part, meaning Florent Malouda remained on the bench.

Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was originally named on the team-sheet, but was forced to withdraw before kick-off due to injury.

Former Blues right-back Mario Melchiot was Wigan captain, and made his sixth appearance against us since departing for Birmingham in the summer of 2004.

Deco's goal was his second in as many appearances for Chelsea.