Wigan Athletic against Chelsea

Kone met the corner at the near post but headed wide. What a chance.

Lovely interchange between Watson and McCarthy. Alcaraz wins the corner.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Another change, this time for Chelsea. Meireles replaces Mata.

Terrible from Cech, who tries a suicidal throw out that heads right to Gomez. Only a slumbering Kone, who was offside, prevents Chelsea from being breached.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> McArthur goes off and Ben Watson trots on.

Good clearing header at the near post from Terry as Boyce turned the ball in.

More good work from Moses but another dawdling effort once he offloads the ball. Gomez the culprit this time.

Oscar is playing in an advanced role - almost as a supporting striker to Torres.

Cole very nearly gets himself in trouble but finds a way out of the cul-de-sac he'd headed down.

Gomez takes the free kick and it bounces before Cech but the 'keeper claims well.

Lampard hacks at Gomez's ankle, and again, I can't believe that isn't a booking. No attempt to play the ball and a kick at the Achilles.

Very poor from Ivanovic as he is released on the right by a lovely flick but crosses poorly.

Gomez has missed a sitter. A floating ball finds him free on the penalty spot but his header is nowhere near the target. The flag went up as it happens, wrongly.

So nearly a perfect start for Oscar as he gallops on to Torres' flick and rifles a shot wide of the far post.

Oddly, for a striker, Kone is wearing the number two shirt.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arouna Kone gets a chance to impress, replacing Franco Di Santo. He can't be any worse, can he?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Then, to cap off a frantic chapter, Oscar replaces Hazard, who has been very good.

Then at the other end Wigan get three on three but another poor cross prevents them from pulling one back.

So close for Torres! He stumbles in on goal and pokes the ball past Al Habsi but Ramis clears off the line!

Looks like Oscar is about to get a taste of the Premier League.

Better from Wigan but again, poor finishing lets them down. Moses tries a curler after good work from Boyce but it was never troubling the far corner.

A raking 50 yard pass from Caldwell finds Di Santo but he drags a shot wide from a narrow angle when he really should have been looking for a team-mate.

Moses battles hard with Ivanovic but the defender wins this particular duel.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> McArthur is carded, rightly, for a clip on Lampard, who had burst past him (no, really).

Chelsea have been far better this half. More goals in this game I'll wager.

Superb from Bertrand as he flicks the ball past Figueroa, then squares excellently for Lampard but his first touch is rotten and McCarthy steals in.

Oh dear Ashley Cole. Good pass from Luiz for Torres, his lay off finds Lampard whose cross ends at the feet of Cole but his volley arrows well wide.

Decent break from Moses but as he lays the ball back for Gomez, Cech claims the cross. Delivery from wide areas has not been good.

Boyce does well to stop Hazard in his tracks. Good PL debut for the Belgian though. Very promising.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Early change for Wigan as Maloney limps off, Jordi Gomez comes on.

Di Santo has a good kick at Terry after the ball had gone. That was a nailed on booking.

An early chance for Wigan as Luiz commits a foul. Maloney's dangerous cross is headed clear then as Alcaraz returns it, Di Santo's shot across goal is hacked away.

We begin again...

Don't forget that hot on the heels of this match we get our first look at the Premier League champions Manchester City, who entertain newcomers Southampton.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0819/franklampardcelebchelseavwigan_275x155.jpg"><br> Lampard toasts his successful penalty coversion

<b>HALF TIME</b> - an odd half. Wigan completely bossed it, but only after they'd gone two goals down inside seven minutes. A goal for the home side would change the complexion but Chelsea can afford to sit tight and ride this out now.

What a chance for Wigan to grab one back - the ball is slid through to Di Santo who is in on Cech but his first touch is woeful, allowing Cech to close him down, then Luiz to clear. Frustrating.

Two minutes added..

Another Wigan corner as Ivanovic tackles Maloney.

Brilliant from Moses as he chests a ball down then knocks it past Cole, he gets into the area but his powerful cross doesn't give Di Santo a chance of converting.

Wigan deserve a goal on the strength of their performance since the penalty but they are running out of time to snatch one before the break.

Three sloppy passes in a row - first Ramis, then Figueroa, then Mata. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.

Caldwell does well to stay with Hazard as he trundled down the left and win the ball. Alcaraz then manages to win a goal kick.

Tidy effort from Moses as he drills the ball in from a tight angle on the right. Cech sticks an arm out and concedes a corner.

Hazard goes down after McArthur open-handed him on the back of the head as he turned away with the ball. No intent and it surely wasn't as painful as Hazard made out. Chelsea free kick.

Di Santo is penalised for tugging Ivanovic's shirt as they battled for an aerial ball.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Luiz gets a yellow for a late clip on Maloney. Seemed innocuous really.

Luiz rampages forward and tries to slide in Torres but the Spaniard had gone too early and was clearly offside.

McCarthy is late again on Hazard and is very lucky not to get a card this time.

Hazard nearly inadvertently sets up a Wigan goal as his clearance is charged down by Figueroa and spins into the box. Cech was alive to it.

McCarthy late on Mata now as Maloney and Mikel tangled in midfield.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com//design05/images/2012/0819/branislavivanovicgroupcelebwiganvchelsea_275x155.jpg"><br>Chelsea celebrate their opener

Wigan are sticking mate to their passing principles and moving Chelsea around the pitch. McCarthy finds Figueroa but his first time cross is cleared by Terry.

It was borderline but looked like the whole ball was out of the area. Cech and Chelsea fortunate.

Cech claims a ball that is heading out of the area and looks suspiciously like he grabs it over the line. Replays suggest he did. Referee not moved.

Another nice touch from Hazard - he's looked far more up to speed today than he did in last week's Community Shield.

Nice ball from Lampard and Mata crosses low for Torres but Al Habsi is out smartly.

Torres gets up well to nod the ball clear but Chelsea struggling to clear their lines.

Wigan have rallied well since the nightmare start as Moses now wins a free kick on the right after a trip from Lampard. They are working the ball well side-to-side.

Good chance for Di Santo after a dreamy cross from Boyce. The striker gets up well above Luiz and Ivanovic but his header flies narrowly over.

A dramatic tumble from Mata after a clip from McArthur. Wigan unhappy. Then Torres blatantly blocked off by Alcaraz on the edge of the box but no foul given. Chelsea unhappy.

Now Ramis overhits a cross after a lay off from Maloney. It's been a steep learning curve for the lad.

Boyce wins a corner as Wigan's pressure continues.

Moses overruns the ball on the left in front of the away fans and receives an ironic cheer for his efforts.

Di Santo is a frustrating footballer. The very definition of a 'nearly but not quite' type of player.

Wigan are giving it a good go though and are still knocking the ball about. Chelsea don't look too comfortable at the back.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Caldwell gets a card for a cruncher on Hazard. That is an awful tackle. Late and from behind. Pure frustration.

Wigan must regroup - a feeling they were very used to in the opening stages of last season. And the one before that. And the one before that.

Seven minutes to forget for debutant Ramis. He lost Hazard for the first goal then fouled him for the penalty. Poor lad.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Lampard makes no mistake and this game is over inside seven minutes.

An elaborate fall but no doubt it was a penalty. Lampard to take....

<b>Chelsea penalty</b> Ramis fouls Hazard and Chelsea can make it two

Superb from Hazard to set the goal up - Wigan had actually been on the attack but Di Santo lost possession at a crucial time, prompting the counter.

At least Wigan had a snatched 90 seconds of optimism before reality set in.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Ivanovic! That didn't take long, Hazard turns and slides a lovely pass in for Ivanovic, who takes a touch and fires past Al Hbasi.

Bright and lively start with both teams zipping the ball about.

<b>KICK OFF</b> - we're off.....

The teams are out into a slightly more populated DW Stadium than usual. Maybe last season's <i>bonhomie</i> has extended into this and Wigan's fans are expecting a bright new dawn.

There is one new face for Wigan - centre half Ivan Ramis was a £4m recruit from Real Mallorca - and he has passed a fitness test to start today.

Two years ago, Chelsea visited the DW in the second game of the season and won 6-0. Wigan had already been beaten on the opening day 4-0 by Blackpool. Traditionally slow starters, they'll need to buck that trend to avoid their now customary against the odds survival fight come the back end of the campaign.

This, of course, is Roberto Di Matteo's first game in charge of Chelsea ... as permanent manager. That brings with it a different kind of pressure, one already being felt by Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool.

As for Wigan, Victor Moses starts despite speculation linking him with a move to Stamford Bridge. Roberto Martinez's side is very similar to the one that finished last season in storming fashion.

And Hazard starts at the DW, but Ramires misses out through illness. Oscar is on the bench and Ryan Bertrand starts in midfield.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0819/edenhazardchelseacommunityshield_275x155.jpg"><br> Chelsea make their Premier League bow at Wigan with all eyes on their new recruits, including this man Eden Hazard. Kick off is at 13.30 BST.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Arouna Kone gets a chance to impress, replacing Franco Di Santo. He can't be any worse, can he?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Then, to cap off a frantic chapter, Oscar replaces Hazard, who has been very good.

Then at the other end Wigan get three on three but another poor cross prevents them from pulling one back.

So close for Torres! He stumbles in on goal and pokes the ball past Al Habsi but Ramis clears off the line!

Looks like Oscar is about to get a taste of the Premier League.

Better from Wigan but again, poor finishing lets them down. Moses tries a curler after good work from Boyce but it was never troubling the far corner.

A raking 50 yard pass from Caldwell finds Di Santo but he drags a shot wide from a narrow angle when he really should have been looking for a team-mate.

Moses battles hard with Ivanovic but the defender wins this particular duel.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> McArthur is carded, rightly, for a clip on Lampard, who had burst past him (no, really).

Chelsea have been far better this half. More goals in this game I'll wager.

Superb from Bertrand as he flicks the ball past Figueroa, then squares excellently for Lampard but his first touch is rotten and McCarthy steals in.

Oh dear Ashley Cole. Good pass from Luiz for Torres, his lay off finds Lampard whose cross ends at the feet of Cole but his volley arrows well wide.

Decent break from Moses but as he lays the ball back for Gomez, Cech claims the cross. Delivery from wide areas has not been good.

Boyce does well to stop Hazard in his tracks. Good PL debut for the Belgian though. Very promising.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Early change for Wigan as Maloney limps off, Jordi Gomez comes on.

Di Santo has a good kick at Terry after the ball had gone. That was a nailed on booking.

An early chance for Wigan as Luiz commits a foul. Maloney's dangerous cross is headed clear then as Alcaraz returns it, Di Santo's shot across goal is hacked away.

We begin again...

Don't forget that hot on the heels of this match we get our first look at the Premier League champions Manchester City, who entertain newcomers Southampton.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0819/franklampardcelebchelseavwigan_275x155.jpg"><br> Lampard toasts his successful penalty coversion

<b>HALF TIME</b> - an odd half. Wigan completely bossed it, but only after they'd gone two goals down inside seven minutes. A goal for the home side would change the complexion but Chelsea can afford to sit tight and ride this out now.

What a chance for Wigan to grab one back - the ball is slid through to Di Santo who is in on Cech but his first touch is woeful, allowing Cech to close him down, then Luiz to clear. Frustrating.

Two minutes added..

Another Wigan corner as Ivanovic tackles Maloney.

Brilliant from Moses as he chests a ball down then knocks it past Cole, he gets into the area but his powerful cross doesn't give Di Santo a chance of converting.

Wigan deserve a goal on the strength of their performance since the penalty but they are running out of time to snatch one before the break.

Three sloppy passes in a row - first Ramis, then Figueroa, then Mata. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.

Caldwell does well to stay with Hazard as he trundled down the left and win the ball. Alcaraz then manages to win a goal kick.

Tidy effort from Moses as he drills the ball in from a tight angle on the right. Cech sticks an arm out and concedes a corner.

Hazard goes down after McArthur open-handed him on the back of the head as he turned away with the ball. No intent and it surely wasn't as painful as Hazard made out. Chelsea free kick.

Di Santo is penalised for tugging Ivanovic's shirt as they battled for an aerial ball.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Luiz gets a yellow for a late clip on Maloney. Seemed innocuous really.

Luiz rampages forward and tries to slide in Torres but the Spaniard had gone too early and was clearly offside.

McCarthy is late again on Hazard and is very lucky not to get a card this time.

Hazard nearly inadvertently sets up a Wigan goal as his clearance is charged down by Figueroa and spins into the box. Cech was alive to it.

McCarthy late on Mata now as Maloney and Mikel tangled in midfield.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com//design05/images/2012/0819/branislavivanovicgroupcelebwiganvchelsea_275x155.jpg"><br>Chelsea celebrate their opener

Wigan are sticking mate to their passing principles and moving Chelsea around the pitch. McCarthy finds Figueroa but his first time cross is cleared by Terry.

It was borderline but looked like the whole ball was out of the area. Cech and Chelsea fortunate.

Cech claims a ball that is heading out of the area and looks suspiciously like he grabs it over the line. Replays suggest he did. Referee not moved.

Another nice touch from Hazard - he's looked far more up to speed today than he did in last week's Community Shield.

Nice ball from Lampard and Mata crosses low for Torres but Al Habsi is out smartly.

Torres gets up well to nod the ball clear but Chelsea struggling to clear their lines.

Wigan have rallied well since the nightmare start as Moses now wins a free kick on the right after a trip from Lampard. They are working the ball well side-to-side.

Good chance for Di Santo after a dreamy cross from Boyce. The striker gets up well above Luiz and Ivanovic but his header flies narrowly over.

A dramatic tumble from Mata after a clip from McArthur. Wigan unhappy. Then Torres blatantly blocked off by Alcaraz on the edge of the box but no foul given. Chelsea unhappy.

Now Ramis overhits a cross after a lay off from Maloney. It's been a steep learning curve for the lad.

Boyce wins a corner as Wigan's pressure continues.

Moses overruns the ball on the left in front of the away fans and receives an ironic cheer for his efforts.

Di Santo is a frustrating footballer. The very definition of a 'nearly but not quite' type of player.

Wigan are giving it a good go though and are still knocking the ball about. Chelsea don't look too comfortable at the back.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Caldwell gets a card for a cruncher on Hazard. That is an awful tackle. Late and from behind. Pure frustration.

Wigan must regroup - a feeling they were very used to in the opening stages of last season. And the one before that. And the one before that.

Seven minutes to forget for debutant Ramis. He lost Hazard for the first goal then fouled him for the penalty. Poor lad.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Lampard makes no mistake and this game is over inside seven minutes.

An elaborate fall but no doubt it was a penalty. Lampard to take....

<b>Chelsea penalty</b> Ramis fouls Hazard and Chelsea can make it two

Superb from Hazard to set the goal up - Wigan had actually been on the attack but Di Santo lost possession at a crucial time, prompting the counter.

At least Wigan had a snatched 90 seconds of optimism before reality set in.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Ivanovic! That didn't take long, Hazard turns and slides a lovely pass in for Ivanovic, who takes a touch and fires past Al Hbasi.

Bright and lively start with both teams zipping the ball about.

<b>KICK OFF</b> - we're off.....

The teams are out into a slightly more populated DW Stadium than usual. Maybe last season's <i>bonhomie</i> has extended into this and Wigan's fans are expecting a bright new dawn.

There is one new face for Wigan - centre half Ivan Ramis was a £4m recruit from Real Mallorca - and he has passed a fitness test to start today.

Two years ago, Chelsea visited the DW in the second game of the season and won 6-0. Wigan had already been beaten on the opening day 4-0 by Blackpool. Traditionally slow starters, they'll need to buck that trend to avoid their now customary against the odds survival fight come the back end of the campaign.

This, of course, is Roberto Di Matteo's first game in charge of Chelsea ... as permanent manager. That brings with it a different kind of pressure, one already being felt by Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool.

As for Wigan, Victor Moses starts despite speculation linking him with a move to Stamford Bridge. Roberto Martinez's side is very similar to the one that finished last season in storming fashion.

And Hazard starts at the DW, but Ramires misses out through illness. Oscar is on the bench and Ryan Bertrand starts in midfield.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0819/edenhazardchelseacommunityshield_275x155.jpg"><br> Chelsea make their Premier League bow at Wigan with all eyes on their new recruits, including this man Eden Hazard. Kick off is at 13.30 BST.