Report: Latics break Blues' record

Chelsea's proud 100% record under Carlo Ancelotti came to an improbable end at the DW Stadium given Wigan went into this Premier League match without a victory against any of the top four in 34 Premier League games.

But they turned the formbook on its head with not just a victory but an emphatic victory at that. Chelsea's cause was not helped by goalkeeper Petr Cech's second half dismissal but they could have little complaint about the outcome.

Wigan went ahead in the 16th minute through Titus Bramble, only for Didier Drogba to pull Chelsea level two minutes into the second half.

Then Cech was red-carded after tripping Hugo Rodallega and Henrique Hilario was unable to prevent the Colombian converting the spot-kick. Paul Scharner completed the scoring in stoppage-time.

Chelsea carved out a string of chances before Wigan took the lead against the run of play. They almost made the breakthrough after two minutes when Ashley Cole cut the ball back to Michael Essien. The midfielder got a good connection from 25 yards but Chris Kirkland turned his effort around the post.

Chelsea kept up the pace and Florent Malouda released Nicolas Anelka three minutes later but he sent his shot wide of the post. Malouda was then bowled over by Scharner and Frank Lampard tested Kirkland by driving in the free-kick.

Wigan again found themselves on the back foot after 11 minutes when Cole picked out Lampard but his effort went wide of the post. The home side responded and Jason Scotland forced a good block from Cech in the 15th minute.

Chelsea were stunned a minute later when Wigan took the lead after some slack defending. Bramble got away from his marker and sent his header into corner following a cross from Charles N'Zogbia for his first goal of the season.

Chelsea hit back and Malouda got on the end of a ball from Cole but his touch was poor in the 22nd minute and Kirkland was able to make the clearance.

Wigan were playing with plenty of spirit and N'Zogbia whipped in a free-kick in the 26th minute that Cech gathered low down.

This was a good spell by the home side and Scharner clipped a shot over the bar three minutes later after Scotland had carved out the opening.

Then Rodallega spotted Scotland in a good position but put too much weight on the pass and Cech gathered the loose ball.

Scotland was causing the visitors problems and had the ball taken of his toes by John Terry in the 38th minute as he prepared to shoot.

Then Cech made a marvellous point-blank save from Emmerson Boyce a minute later after Scharner had flicked on N'Zogbia's cross.

Chelsea, however, needed only two minutes of the second period to draw level with Kirkland left red-faced. The Wigan goalkeeper allowed a soft shot from Drogba to squirm through his legs following a surging run from Malouda.

Chelsea almost took the lead in the 50th minute, only for Scharner to block Terry's effort after Ricardo Carvalho's flick-on.

The game took a dramatic turn a minute later when Cech was given a straight red card for tripping Rodallega as he raced into the area. Cech was incensed at the decision and so were his team-mates as a penalty was awarded.

Hilario stepped between the posts - with Malouda coming off - and his first job was to pick the ball out of the net with Rodallega converting his spot-kick. It left Chelsea a goal down and playing with 10 men for the last 37 minutes of the match.

Wigan were not content to sit on their lead and Rodallega floated a free-kick from 25 yards narrowly over the bar in the 76th minute after Cole had barged over N'Zogbia. Chelsea almost drew level eight minutes later only for Lampard to see his header clear the bar following a cross from Drogba.

They were getting frustrated, however, and Essien was booked for a challenge on Scharner which left him on the floor in the 86th minute.

Chelsea went down to nine men with Cole going off injured and Scharner scored Wigan's third goal in stoppage-time following a cross from Maynor Figueroa.

Source: ESPN Soccernet, September 26, 2009