Tough end to season with Latics deserving more from Stamford Bridge

CHELSEA 8
Anelka 6, 57
Lampard 34 (pen)
Kalou 54
Drogba 63, 68 (pen), 80
A. Cole 90

WIGAN ATHLETIC 0

Report by Paul Chialton

A disappointing score-line to end the season upon but take nothing away from the character of Roberto Martinez's men who really deserved more from this afternoon's match-up.

However once Gary Caldwell saw red and Frank Lampard put the home-side 2-0 up from the spot there was no looking back for Chelsea who ended their season with the title firmly in their hands.

But although the score-line will suggest a stroll in the park for Carlo Ancelotti's men, for the majority of the game it couldn't be further from the truth.

Nicolas Anelka had fired the Blues into the lead after just six minutes, but the reaction and determination from Latics was exemplary in trying to back on an even keel. Moving the ball around with bags of confidence and looking the better side for quite some time.

Momo Diame and James McCarthy acted as the lynchpins in the midfield linking up the defence and attack very well, whilst Steve Gohouri deserves a massive pat on the back after his own individual performance, magnificent effort from the Ivorian who gets better and better with each game.

In the end it was Victor Moses who came closest to getting on the score-sheet for the away-side, belting a ball from 40-yards only for Petr Cech to tip over superbly. In fairness the Czech 'keeper wasn't forced into action enough, but then with 10-men it was always a big struggle to try and impose any real attacking threat.

Hugo Rodallega and Charles N'Zogbia tried their hardest to find a breakthrough but the Chelsea defence stood strong and in the end proved too formidable an opponent.

Overall not the ideal way to round of what has been a successful season for Latics with plenty to proud of over the last ten months as we look forward to a sixth consecutive campaign in the top-flight.

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic (Belletti, 58), Terry, Alex, A. Cole; Ballack (Matic, 70), Lampard, Malouda; Anelka, Drogba, Kalou (J. Cole, 58)

Subs: Hilario, Zhirkov, Ferreira, Sturridge

Latics: Pollitt; Melchiot, Boyce, Caldwell, Gohouri, Figueroa; Diame (Scharner, 78), McCarthy; N'Zogbia, Watson (Thomas, 62), Rodallega (Moses, 81)

Subs: Stojkovic, Mustoe, Cywka, Scotland