Two goals in two games is truly a productive start to Deco's Chelsea career.

For those who didn't follow our new man's playing days on the Iberian peninsula that closely, but do remember him calmly slotting home Porto's on-the-break second goal against Monaco in the Champions League Final, or his smash into the Camp Nou net against Chelsea in 2006 (the night of Lampard's impossible-angle goal and Drogba's dramatic late equaliser) it might be easy to think of him as a midfield goalscorer in the Lampard mould.

Yet during his years at Barcelona especially, it was as a facilitator more than a finisher that he helped his side to considerable success.

In 2005/06, the season Barça won the Primera Liga and Champions League double, Deco's goal totals were three in the domestic league and two in Europe, although there was never any suggestion he wasn't a key factor in the triumphs.

His first year in Spain was his most prolific with seven La Liga strikes and two Champions League goals. Over the full four years, the league total was 13 with a combined six Euro goals.

It must have been hard to push Ronaldinho off free-kick taking duties during much of that time and Deco's yearly goal figures at Porto push into double figures but still the rate at which he has left the blocks at Chelsea is a mouth-watering acceleration.

If he can remain out of Lamps' shade when it comes to knocking them in, there is plenty to look forward to in the season ahead.

There must be a smile on the faces of anyone who took advantage of Paddy Power's special 16/1 price via this website on Deco scoring first on Sunday. His goal touch may cost some bookmakers more money this season with one offering good odds at the time of his July signing on just four or more league goals this season.

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A former Blue who lives on the other side of the world was in the Directors' Box at the JJB on Sunday.

Republic of Ireland international defender Terry Phelan, now 41, was with Glenn Hoddle's Chelsea for just over a year between 1995 and December 1996. Pacy, skilful and reliable, he was used as an attacking wing-back in Hoddle's system, and played in the ill-fated FA Cup semi-final against Manchester Utd in March 1996.

Terry had just arrived at the Wigan ground from America (where he has business interests) en route from Dunedin, New Zealand, where he currently lives, having just completed his 'B' licence in football coaching.

He is in the UK observing current training methodologies. With nine former league clubs here he has plenty of contacts to draw on, but Chelsea were the first he had come to watch, accompanied by his son - resplendent in a black away shirt bearing the name 'Deco', who of course scored the only goal of the game with an expert free kick.

Phelan senior, though, was impressed with the Blues' excellent technical skills and teamwork, and was mindful that many players were tired after midweek exertions for their country.

'Chelsea are a full team of internationals,' he told After The Whistle. 'They knock the ball about and you can see they trust each other. They're going to be hard to beat this season.

'I was a bit gutted for them last season; I hope they can do it this year.'

The way his former club's Brazilian manager has the team playing also caught his eye.

'As a former full back myself I think Luiz Felipe Scolari's system is great,' he enthused. 'The full backs go forward like wingers, and I love it. But when that happens the players have got to trust each other on the pitch, and these Chelsea players do.

'You look at when the full backs are attacking and, today, Michael Essien always sat back when necessary - he was playing centre-back, then he went back to centre midfield. He can do his job like that safe in the knowledge that he can trust the others.'

Steve Bruce's tactic against Chelsea's flying full-backs was the usual one of trying to win the ball back and catch them upfield.

'Wigan countered it by knocking diagonal balls straight to the corners, to get behind the Chelsea full backs,' agreed Terry. 'I personally thought they could have done that a wee bit quicker.

'Mario Melchiot I thought was great going forward but their left-back (Figueroa) could have been a bit more adventurous. Then again, you're 1-0 down, Chelsea get another goal to make it 2-0 and it's over. I thought Wigan had a good game today.'

It did not escape Terry's attention that left-back Ashley Cole had to be substituted in the second half with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Back in that 1996 semi against United, he was forced out of the game with a similar muscle problem just past the hour mark. The wing-back's enforced absencerobbed Hoddle's side of its wings, and (along with an injury to Steve Clarke on a disgraceful Villa Park pitch) helped United turn round a 0-1 deficit into a painful 2-1 victory.

'I'm gonna tell you something now,' says Terry. 'I played in that semi-final, I'd just come back from international duty, and I pulled my thigh muscle. You need your rest after internationals.'

Coincidentally, the next team he will observe professionally is United. Will his appraisal be as positive?

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Felipe Scolari no doubt learnt more about his team yesterday but he is also learning fast about the geography of England and the prevalence of north-west teams in its top division.

The trip to the JJB was, he admitted, the first time he had travelled north of London in his new country and when scanning the road atlas to find Wigan, he noticed some other familiar names.

'I now know that when I come to play Bolton, it is here; when I come to play Manchester United, it is here; where I come to play Manchester City, it is here; whenI come to play Blackburn, it is here!' he said.

Wait until he sees Preston among the early pace-setters for promotion.

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It was the now traditional big turn out at Wigan by Chelsea supporters yesterday where one of largest allocation of seats to away fans is available. Many northern-based Blues rolled up to supplement tickets purchased in advance, filling our stand far closer to capacity than the three designated for Wigan fans.

But while the Chelsea choir is still trying to work a way of squeezing the words 'Luiz Felipe Scolari' into a song and making it scan, After The Whistle was left to ponder on the motivational powers of the Wigan support's song for their centre-forward - the one that goes:

'There's only one Emile Heskey, One Emile Heskey,

He used to be ***** but now he's alright…'

Thankfully, unlike last April at Bridge, Heskey didn't manage to prove the point by grabbing the last laugh.

afterthewhistle@chelseafc.com