Wigan Athletic against Chelsea

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan looks on proudly from the Director's box. He will be so proud of his side, and it should give them real belief that they can stay up this season.

Mahon wins a throw, deep in the Chelsea half. The Wigan players take a breather as the pressure is relieved for a moment or two.

SUB: Camara off, Johansson on. Camara has run himself ragged, especially in the second half. He is replaced by a Swedish international, who has taken his place in midfield.

SWp collects a ball down the line from Ferreira and fires a low ball in to the middle, but De Zeeuw is again on hand to volley the ball out of play.

Chimbonda waves his arms to urge the fans to get behind their side in the final stages, and the Wigan faithful respond with a goos-pimpling roar.

Wigan almost shocked the Champions there with a late goal. They haven't deserved to win this match, but they certainly will not be lucky to take a point off the Champions.

...Teale collects the ball from the throw, gets to the by-line, clips over a cross to the far post, but Roberts' header bounces off the top of the crossbar and out of play.

A mistake from Terry almost lets in Teale down the right, but the ball runs out for a throw...

...Lampard clips the ball in to the middle, where it is met by Terry, but the England defender can only plant his header straight at Pollit.

Cole wins a corner for his side when his attempted cross is deflected behind...

SWP wins a free-kick when he is hauled back as he attempts to break on the counter-attack. He will continue to be the danger man as the game enters the final minutes.

The Chelsea players look to be getting a little frustrated; they are giving away a couple of niggling and unnecessary fouls as they tussle to win the ball back.

Camara and Roberts have been excellent up front for Wigan this afternoon; as the game enters its final stages, they are doing their very best to hold the ball up and relieve the pressure on their defence.

Amazingly, Wigan are still throwing men forward when they win the ball. As De Zeeuw breaks up the attack in his own area, Bullard and Mahon charge forward to support Roberts and Camara.

SWP breaks down the right, cuts the ball back towards Crespo but De Zeeuw again slides in to block any attempt by the Argentine striker.

Wigan are beginning to come back in to the game a little, as Chelsea press forward looking for a winner. Roberts fires a shot wide of Cech's far post, and the visitors need to be careful not to concede an embarrassing late goal.

Chelsea break down the right. Lampard's low cross evades a couple of Wigan defenders, but Chimbonda is alert enough to block Crespo's attempted shot on the six-yard line.

Every time Wigan win a throw or a free-kick, the fans unleash an almighty cheer; they will be so proud to see their side holding the Champions.

De Zeeuw again stays strong as his side defend a Chelsea free-kick. The new Wigan captain is doing a great job of organising his defence and frustrating the Chelsea strikers.

Camara picks up the ball on the edge of the Chelsea area, spins away from his marker, and fires a left-foot shot a few yards over the bar. Good effort, in difficult circumstances.

Cole attempts a shot from just outside the area, though his effort is straight down the throat of Pollit, who collects at the second attempt.

Oooh! Crespo shows superb vison outside the area. He faints to shoot before laying a great pass in to the path of Drogba, though De Zeeuw is quick to slide in and block the shot.

SWP's introduction in to the match has added a certain directness to Chelsea's attacks, but Baines has coped well with the tricky England winger.

Despite all Chelsea's pressure, they haven't really been working Pollit often enough. The Wigan keeper has had only one or two serious saves to make thus far.

...Bullard curls the ball in towards goal, but his right-foot shot flies a couple of yards over Cech's crossbar.

Wigan win a free-kick when Camara throws himself theatrically to the ground on the corner of the penalty area. This is a good chance to fire a shot on goal...

The pressure is really mounting on Wigan now, and Chelsea have plenty of time left to make the breakthrough. But what a compliment to Wigan, that Mourinho has made three attacking substitutions inside an hour.

Crespo's arrival means that Chelsea are playing in a system that is somewhat alien to them; they spent most of last season with just Drogba as the central striker, but now the Champions have two men to aim for.

Oooh! A swift, decisive counter-attack from Chelsea sees the ball worked out to Crespo in the right channel. He runs at his marker before firing a low shot goalwards, which Pollit does well to turn around the post.

Chimbonda shows good self-belief and skill as he evades Cole's diving tackle out on the touchline. The strong right-back has had a good debut for Wigan this afternoon.

SUB: Duff off; Crespo on. Another attacking change from Mourinho. Cole will probably go out wide, and Chelsea will play with two central strikers.

Drogba holds the ball up down the right-hand side. He holds off his marker, before lofting a cross in to the middle and winning his side a corner.

Crespo begins to strip off on the Chelsea bench; another quality substitution looms from the Champions.

Camara does a good job of relieving the pressure on his side when he collects a loose ball and runs at the Chelsea defence down the right flank. He wins a throw.

A superb turn and run from Wright-Phillips takes him just inside the Wigan area, though his fierce shot is blocked by De Zeeuw. Promising signs from the Chelsea new-boy.

Joe Cole is playing in quite an advanced central position; he spent most of last season out on either left or right flank, but is playing more as a support striker at the moment.

SWP fires in a cross from the right, but De Zeeuw clears at the near post. Chelsea are beginning to mount a little pressure on the home side, although there are no real signs of a breakthrough goal as yet.

Cole wins a free-kick in the middle of the park, much to the disgust of the Wigan fans.

De Zeeuw has been strong on his second Wigan debut; his experience has been crucial in maintaining the shape of the home side defence.

Chelsea win a corner. Duff swings it in from the right-hand side, but Pollit comes through a crowd of players to punch clear. Good determination from the debutant keeper.

Wigan are having trouble getting hold of the ball and keeping it. As the game goes on, they'll need to retain possession to relieve the pressure.

Lampard wins a free-kick out on the right wing. The England midfielder swings the ball in to a crowded box, but Baines clears on the volley.

SWP runs directly at Baines, his marker. He reaches the by-line, cuts the ball back to Cole, but his first-time shot is sliced high and wide. Good start by the two substitutes.

Chimbonda goes in strongly on Drogba, who collapses in a heap on the floor. The referee politely asks him to get up, and play goes on.

So, SWP makes his Premiership debut for the Champions. He will operate mainly down the right-hand side, though I expect him to switch flanks with Duff at times throughout the half.

SUBS: Joe Cole, SWP on; Gudjohnsen, Robben off. Two attacking changes from Mourinho at half-time as he attempts to make the break-through and get this crucial first goal.

HALF-TIME: Wigan are cheered off the field after a very promising first half of Premiership football. They have caused a number of problems for the Champions, who in turn, have had a couple of decent efforts themselves.

Wigan win a free-kick, deep in the Chelsea half, out on the right-flank. The ball is whipped in to the middle, but Cech is out through a crowd of players to punch clear.

There will be one added minute at the end of the half.

Oooh! Duff, who has again returned down the right-hand side, runs at Baines before cutting inside and firing a left-foot shot towards the near post. Pollit is down very quickly to gather the attempt. Great save.

Gallas breaks forward in a rare venture down the right-hand side. But youngster Baines, who was having real trouble earlier in the half, does well to get a foot in and poke the ball back to Pollit.

Drogba loses possession in his own half, but Wigan can't capitalise.

Mourinho looks thoughtful on the Chelsea bench; Jewell, on the otherhand, is particularly animated, shouting constant instructions to his charges out on the field.

Wigan will be delighted with the start they have made to their Premiership campaign; they have kept their shape well in defence, and caused a few problems of their own going forward.

...He drifts the ball in to the middle, where Terry meets it with a firm header, though it flashes an inch or two over the crossbar. A worrying moment for Wigan.

Chelsea win a cheap corner, which Robben stands over on the left-hand side...

Robben cuts in from the right once more, but his attempted pass inside the right full-back towards Duff is cut out on the edge of the area. Good vision from the Chelsea winger.

Chelsea are taking the chance to knock the ball about in midfield and defence, without showing too much urgency; one of their virtues last season was their patience - they never seemed to panic.

An excellent little passing move from Chelsea, as they move the ball neatly and quickly from left to right. Ferreira eventually takes the chance to clip a cross in towards Drogba, but it drifts a couple of feet over his head.

Of course, should Chelsea continue to struggle to break Wigan down and score that vital first goal, they do have some talent on the bench to choose from...

Chelsea are starting to control the game a little more now; they are having most of the possession, and beginning to put a little more sustained pressure on the Wigan midfield and defence.

Del Horno lofts a good ball through the middle, where Gudjohnsen had made a late run towards the edge of the area. The Chelsea man manages to get his head to the ball, but it drifts a couple of yards wide.

Lampard curls a free-kick in to a crowded area. Wigan defend the set-piece well with a good header clear. Ferreira latches on to the clearance, but his first-time shot flies well wide.

Lampard is finally starting to come in to the match a little more; he is coming deep to search for the ball and taking forward, driving his team up the field.

...Bullard takes the corner, high and deep towards the far post, but Camara rather scuffs his volley and Cech collects easily.

Again, Wigan throw a couple of excellent crosses in to the Chelsea penalty area. This time, Del Horno is forced to head the ball out for a corner...

The Wigan fans are getting behind their side and urging them forward; they seem intent on enjoying their time in the Premiership - however long it lasts.

Where Wigan are being successful is that, when they have the ball in the final third, they are willing to commit plenty players forward. Manager Paul Jewell has seemingly given them license to be ambitious and search for a goal.

It's a very open game at the moment; Chelsea certainly look as though they are well capable of tearing open the Wigan defence, but equally, the home side are causing the Chelsea defence a few problems of their own.

Oooh! Panic in the Chelsea defence as Wigan pile on the pressure. Camara pressurises Lampard, takes the ball in to the area, cuts it back to Mahon, but the midfielder can only scoop his shot over the bar from seven yards out. Great chance to take a shock lead.

Oooh! Robben again cuts inside from the right, on to his left foot; but from 25 yards out, he curls a shot a couple of yards over Pollit's cross-bar. How many times can Wigan allow Robben to test them before he finally makes them pay?

A poor pass from Robben ends a promising Chelsea counter attack; he was looking for Drogba, but his pass was woefully mis-placed.

Wigan are struggling a little down their left-hand flank; Duff first, and now Robben are giving young full-back Leighton Baines a really tough time, and Mahon isn't giving any support to his colleague.

Oooh! Robben collects a pass from Gudjohnsen; he torments Baines for a moment, before cutting back on to his left foot and dragging a shot a yard wide of the near post from just eight yards out. He should have done a lot better from there.

Bullard skips past Makelele as he attempts to lead a Wigan counter-attack, but he is then scythed down on the touchline by Gudjohnsen. A free-kick, but no booking.

Gudjohnsen picks up a lay-off from Robben, who has switched flanks with Duff and is now operating down the right, but the Icelandic's left-foot shot is sliced well wide.

Lampard, one of Chelsea's star men last season, hasn't really had the chance to impose himself on the game as yet; Gudjohnsen is the midfield man who has been most prominent in the early stages.

Drogba wins a header on the edge of the area. The ball falls to Gudjohnsen, who nods it back to the striker, but his shot from 20 yards flashes inches over the bar. Good effort.

A superb tackle by Del Horno prevents Chimbonda breaking down the Wigan right and getting in to a dangerous spot.

The corner is flicked clear by a Wigan head, but Chelsea pick up the loose ball and keep the pressure on the Premiership new-boys.

Duff wins his side a corner when he twists and turns on the right flank, and his cross is deflected out off Baines.

Camara has started very well on his Wigan debut. He is running the flanks and channels and working very hard to put pressure on the Chelsea men in possession.

Wigan's gameplan seems to heavily involve getting the ball wide and swinging over high crosses towards their two powerful strikers; the early stages have already seen plenty balls thrown in to the Chelsea penalty box.

...the ball is rolled to Mahon, who tamely fires a left-foot shot in to the penalty area, where a Chelsea boot hoofs clear.

Gallas is adjudged to have fouled Roberts as the two challenged for a lofted ball, 30 yards out. Free-kick...

Wigan have started the game very brightly; they are showing Chelsea respect, but are committing plenty men forward when they have the ball.

Ferreira then swings over a deep cross from the right flank, but Robben can only head high over the bar from eight yards out; he was under pressure from Chimbonda.

A superb reverse pass from Duff sets Ferreira free down the right, but his low cross is cut out inside the penalty area.

Spanish left-back Del Horno starts his first Premiership game for the Champions; he was impressive in the Community Shield match against Arsenal last week.

Oooh! Camara then crashes another shot from the edge of the area in to the side-netting. Half of the JJB Stadium thought the ball had beaten Cech at his near-post as they saw the net ripple. Gee, what a start for the minnows.

Oooh! Almost a dream start for Wigan, as Camara flashes a left-foot shot from the edge of the area towards goal. Cech is at full stretch to palm the ball away.

Wigan hand debuts to six new players; Mike Pollitt starts in goal, along with fellow newcomers Pascal Chimbonda, Stephane Henchoz, Damien Francis and Henri Camara. Arjan de Zeeuw was making his second debut for the club after rejoining from Portsmouth.

Chelsea begin with a long spell of possession in their own half, with the Wigan players allowing the defenders plenty of time on the ball.

Chelsea start with their usual 4-3-3 formation, with Drogba flanked up-front by Duff and Robben; Wright-Phillips starts the match on the bench.

Wigan kick-off their Premiership adventure. There is a superb atmosphere inside the JJB Stadium as their fans rub their eyes in disbelief: Wigan, in the Premiership? Against Chelsea?

Welcome to live commentary coverage of Wigan's debut match in the Premier League - an easy starter, against current champions Chelsea...

Wigan are beginning to come back in to the game a little, as Chelsea press forward looking for a winner. Roberts fires a shot wide of Cech's far post, and the visitors need to be careful not to concede an embarrassing late goal.

Chelsea break down the right. Lampard's low cross evades a couple of Wigan defenders, but Chimbonda is alert enough to block Crespo's attempted shot on the six-yard line.

Every time Wigan win a throw or a free-kick, the fans unleash an almighty cheer; they will be so proud to see their side holding the Champions.

De Zeeuw again stays strong as his side defend a Chelsea free-kick. The new Wigan captain is doing a great job of organising his defence and frustrating the Chelsea strikers.

Camara picks up the ball on the edge of the Chelsea area, spins away from his marker, and fires a left-foot shot a few yards over the bar. Good effort, in difficult circumstances.

Cole attempts a shot from just outside the area, though his effort is straight down the throat of Pollit, who collects at the second attempt.

Oooh! Crespo shows superb vison outside the area. He faints to shoot before laying a great pass in to the path of Drogba, though De Zeeuw is quick to slide in and block the shot.

SWP's introduction in to the match has added a certain directness to Chelsea's attacks, but Baines has coped well with the tricky England winger.

Despite all Chelsea's pressure, they haven't really been working Pollit often enough. The Wigan keeper has had only one or two serious saves to make thus far.

...Bullard curls the ball in towards goal, but his right-foot shot flies a couple of yards over Cech's crossbar.

Wigan win a free-kick when Camara throws himself theatrically to the ground on the corner of the penalty area. This is a good chance to fire a shot on goal...

The pressure is really mounting on Wigan now, and Chelsea have plenty of time left to make the breakthrough. But what a compliment to Wigan, that Mourinho has made three attacking substitutions inside an hour.

Crespo's arrival means that Chelsea are playing in a system that is somewhat alien to them; they spent most of last season with just Drogba as the central striker, but now the Champions have two men to aim for.

Oooh! A swift, decisive counter-attack from Chelsea sees the ball worked out to Crespo in the right channel. He runs at his marker before firing a low shot goalwards, which Pollit does well to turn around the post.

Chimbonda shows good self-belief and skill as he evades Cole's diving tackle out on the touchline. The strong right-back has had a good debut for Wigan this afternoon.

SUB: Duff off; Crespo on. Another attacking change from Mourinho. Cole will probably go out wide, and Chelsea will play with two central strikers.

Drogba holds the ball up down the right-hand side. He holds off his marker, before lofting a cross in to the middle and winning his side a corner.

Crespo begins to strip off on the Chelsea bench; another quality substitution looms from the Champions.

Camara does a good job of relieving the pressure on his side when he collects a loose ball and runs at the Chelsea defence down the right flank. He wins a throw.

A superb turn and run from Wright-Phillips takes him just inside the Wigan area, though his fierce shot is blocked by De Zeeuw. Promising signs from the Chelsea new-boy.

Joe Cole is playing in quite an advanced central position; he spent most of last season out on either left or right flank, but is playing more as a support striker at the moment.

SWP fires in a cross from the right, but De Zeeuw clears at the near post. Chelsea are beginning to mount a little pressure on the home side, although there are no real signs of a breakthrough goal as yet.

Cole wins a free-kick in the middle of the park, much to the disgust of the Wigan fans.

De Zeeuw has been strong on his second Wigan debut; his experience has been crucial in maintaining the shape of the home side defence.

Chelsea win a corner. Duff swings it in from the right-hand side, but Pollit comes through a crowd of players to punch clear. Good determination from the debutant keeper.

Wigan are having trouble getting hold of the ball and keeping it. As the game goes on, they'll need to retain possession to relieve the pressure.

Lampard wins a free-kick out on the right wing. The England midfielder swings the ball in to a crowded box, but Baines clears on the volley.

SWP runs directly at Baines, his marker. He reaches the by-line, cuts the ball back to Cole, but his first-time shot is sliced high and wide. Good start by the two substitutes.

Chimbonda goes in strongly on Drogba, who collapses in a heap on the floor. The referee politely asks him to get up, and play goes on.

So, SWP makes his Premiership debut for the Champions. He will operate mainly down the right-hand side, though I expect him to switch flanks with Duff at times throughout the half.

SUBS: Joe Cole, SWP on; Gudjohnsen, Robben off. Two attacking changes from Mourinho at half-time as he attempts to make the break-through and get this crucial first goal.

HALF-TIME: Wigan are cheered off the field after a very promising first half of Premiership football. They have caused a number of problems for the Champions, who in turn, have had a couple of decent efforts themselves.

Wigan win a free-kick, deep in the Chelsea half, out on the right-flank. The ball is whipped in to the middle, but Cech is out through a crowd of players to punch clear.

There will be one added minute at the end of the half.

Oooh! Duff, who has again returned down the right-hand side, runs at Baines before cutting inside and firing a left-foot shot towards the near post. Pollit is down very quickly to gather the attempt. Great save.

Gallas breaks forward in a rare venture down the right-hand side. But youngster Baines, who was having real trouble earlier in the half, does well to get a foot in and poke the ball back to Pollit.

Drogba loses possession in his own half, but Wigan can't capitalise.

Mourinho looks thoughtful on the Chelsea bench; Jewell, on the otherhand, is particularly animated, shouting constant instructions to his charges out on the field.

Wigan will be delighted with the start they have made to their Premiership campaign; they have kept their shape well in defence, and caused a few problems of their own going forward.

...He drifts the ball in to the middle, where Terry meets it with a firm header, though it flashes an inch or two over the crossbar. A worrying moment for Wigan.

Chelsea win a cheap corner, which Robben stands over on the left-hand side...

Robben cuts in from the right once more, but his attempted pass inside the right full-back towards Duff is cut out on the edge of the area. Good vision from the Chelsea winger.

Chelsea are taking the chance to knock the ball about in midfield and defence, without showing too much urgency; one of their virtues last season was their patience - they never seemed to panic.

An excellent little passing move from Chelsea, as they move the ball neatly and quickly from left to right. Ferreira eventually takes the chance to clip a cross in towards Drogba, but it drifts a couple of feet over his head.

Of course, should Chelsea continue to struggle to break Wigan down and score that vital first goal, they do have some talent on the bench to choose from...

Chelsea are starting to control the game a little more now; they are having most of the possession, and beginning to put a little more sustained pressure on the Wigan midfield and defence.

Del Horno lofts a good ball through the middle, where Gudjohnsen had made a late run towards the edge of the area. The Chelsea man manages to get his head to the ball, but it drifts a couple of yards wide.

Lampard curls a free-kick in to a crowded area. Wigan defend the set-piece well with a good header clear. Ferreira latches on to the clearance, but his first-time shot flies well wide.

Lampard is finally starting to come in to the match a little more; he is coming deep to search for the ball and taking forward, driving his team up the field.

...Bullard takes the corner, high and deep towards the far post, but Camara rather scuffs his volley and Cech collects easily.

Again, Wigan throw a couple of excellent crosses in to the Chelsea penalty area. This time, Del Horno is forced to head the ball out for a corner...

The Wigan fans are getting behind their side and urging them forward; they seem intent on enjoying their time in the Premiership - however long it lasts.

Where Wigan are being successful is that, when they have the ball in the final third, they are willing to commit plenty players forward. Manager Paul Jewell has seemingly given them license to be ambitious and search for a goal.

It's a very open game at the moment; Chelsea certainly look as though they are well capable of tearing open the Wigan defence, but equally, the home side are causing the Chelsea defence a few problems of their own.

Oooh! Panic in the Chelsea defence as Wigan pile on the pressure. Camara pressurises Lampard, takes the ball in to the area, cuts it back to Mahon, but the midfielder can only scoop his shot over the bar from seven yards out. Great chance to take a shock lead.

Oooh! Robben again cuts inside from the right, on to his left foot; but from 25 yards out, he curls a shot a couple of yards over Pollit's cross-bar. How many times can Wigan allow Robben to test them before he finally makes them pay?

A poor pass from Robben ends a promising Chelsea counter attack; he was looking for Drogba, but his pass was woefully mis-placed.

Wigan are struggling a little down their left-hand flank; Duff first, and now Robben are giving young full-back Leighton Baines a really tough time, and Mahon isn't giving any support to his colleague.

Oooh! Robben collects a pass from Gudjohnsen; he torments Baines for a moment, before cutting back on to his left foot and dragging a shot a yard wide of the near post from just eight yards out. He should have done a lot better from there.

Bullard skips past Makelele as he attempts to lead a Wigan counter-attack, but he is then scythed down on the touchline by Gudjohnsen. A free-kick, but no booking.

Gudjohnsen picks up a lay-off from Robben, who has switched flanks with Duff and is now operating down the right, but the Icelandic's left-foot shot is sliced well wide.

Lampard, one of Chelsea's star men last season, hasn't really had the chance to impose himself on the game as yet; Gudjohnsen is the midfield man who has been most prominent in the early stages.

Drogba wins a header on the edge of the area. The ball falls to Gudjohnsen, who nods it back to the striker, but his shot from 20 yards flashes inches over the bar. Good effort.

A superb tackle by Del Horno prevents Chimbonda breaking down the Wigan right and getting in to a dangerous spot.

The corner is flicked clear by a Wigan head, but Chelsea pick up the loose ball and keep the pressure on the Premiership new-boys.

Duff wins his side a corner when he twists and turns on the right flank, and his cross is deflected out off Baines.

Camara has started very well on his Wigan debut. He is running the flanks and channels and working very hard to put pressure on the Chelsea men in possession.

Wigan's gameplan seems to heavily involve getting the ball wide and swinging over high crosses towards their two powerful strikers; the early stages have already seen plenty balls thrown in to the Chelsea penalty box.

...the ball is rolled to Mahon, who tamely fires a left-foot shot in to the penalty area, where a Chelsea boot hoofs clear.

Gallas is adjudged to have fouled Roberts as the two challenged for a lofted ball, 30 yards out. Free-kick...

Wigan have started the game very brightly; they are showing Chelsea respect, but are committing plenty men forward when they have the ball.

Ferreira then swings over a deep cross from the right flank, but Robben can only head high over the bar from eight yards out; he was under pressure from Chimbonda.

A superb reverse pass from Duff sets Ferreira free down the right, but his low cross is cut out inside the penalty area.

Spanish left-back Del Horno starts his first Premiership game for the Champions; he was impressive in the Community Shield match against Arsenal last week.

Oooh! Camara then crashes another shot from the edge of the area in to the side-netting. Half of the JJB Stadium thought the ball had beaten Cech at his near-post as they saw the net ripple. Gee, what a start for the minnows.

Oooh! Almost a dream start for Wigan, as Camara flashes a left-foot shot from the edge of the area towards goal. Cech is at full stretch to palm the ball away.

Wigan hand debuts to six new players; Mike Pollitt starts in goal, along with fellow newcomers Pascal Chimbonda, Stephane Henchoz, Damien Francis and Henri Camara. Arjan de Zeeuw was making his second debut for the club after rejoining from Portsmouth.

Chelsea begin with a long spell of possession in their own half, with the Wigan players allowing the defenders plenty of time on the ball.

Chelsea start with their usual 4-3-3 formation, with Drogba flanked up-front by Duff and Robben; Wright-Phillips starts the match on the bench.

Wigan kick-off their Premiership adventure. There is a superb atmosphere inside the JJB Stadium as their fans rub their eyes in disbelief: Wigan, in the Premiership? Against Chelsea?

Welcome to live commentary coverage of Wigan's debut match in the Premier League - an easy starter, against current champions Chelsea...