Chelsea were becoming increasingly edgy in this contest with the final whistle still four minutes away, their authority rather undermined by memories of recent failings, when reassurance was found from a familiar source. Frank Lampard waited until then to make a proper mark, a calmly placed and precise finish from the edge of the area securing goal No198 for this club and a first win in five matches for this team. The veteran's class is a permanent, as are the calls for his time at this club to be extended beyond the summer.
Rafael Benítez can sleep a little easier after this, even if Lampard's reward and a nodded stoppage time goal from Marko Marin provided gloss to an occasion that had felt rather humdrum at times. The Spanish manager who departed Stamford Bridge with his team stuck in the doldrums was actually Roberto Martínez, after one win in 13 league games. Chelsea may be edgy still at times, but they are also third with their prowess late on a reminder that they can be potent when they click. The scoreline ended up emphatic, though the bouts of nerves that had set in when Wigan threatened a revival should not be forgotten.
The interim first-team manager would argue his side had merited comfortable success. The opening goal had been slickly crafted midway through the first half in a rare burst of urgency amid the plod, David Luiz striding through the centre and sliding a pass through to Fernando Torres. The striker shifted the ball on instantly, his delivery inside Maynor Figueroa liberating a galloping Ramires down the right with the Brazilian finishing beyond Ali al-Habsi.
The midfielder took the plaudits of his team-mates but there had been class in the ball to find him. Torres's name had been booed by some of the home support before kick-off, their patience having snapped, so this was a riposte of sorts even if he was to be frustrated by Habsi's fine save when he planted a header goalwards from Cesar Azpilicueta's fine cross.
Chelsea had created the clearer chances, with Wigan often too flustered to threaten, and the lead was doubled courtesy of Gary Cahill's raking pass from centre-half to a marauding Azpilicueta. The full-back might have reached the byline but, granted so much space by Jean Beausejour, chose to cut back inside and slide a pass to the unmarked Eden Hazard. The Belgian, back in the fold after his clash with a ballboy at Swansea, spat his shot at goal and the effort skidded through Habsi and in.
That should have been that, so anaemic had Wigan been as an attacking threat but Chelsea's anxiety was back within minutes as Hazard surrendered possession in the visitors' half and James McArthur clipped a pass over a static Branislav Ivanovic for Shaun Maloney, Wigan's most impressive attacking player, to collect. The Scot edged round an advancing Petr Cech with his second touch and converted into the empty net with Benítez's livid reaction on the bench recognition that even he knew what might now ensue.
Yet, for all the jitters on display, the closest Martínez's side came to delivering further embarrassment was when Ronnie Stam's shot struck Ashley Cole's arm from close range in the penalty area. Lampard eased those nerves, with Marin nodding in a first goal for the club after Habsi had turned away Azpilicueta's swerving attempt. There was relief to be had in victory for the locals. For Wigan, entrenched still in the relegation zone, life feels grim.
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