By dixon9
January 27 2007

After the media focus during recent weeks over Chelsea’s “blip” and the frantic, confusing coverage on Mourinho´s future at Stamford Bridge, no doubt some Chelsea fans would have breathed a sigh of relief and thought to themselves, “Just what the Doctor ordered!"

The “blip” (the first in just under 2 and a half years - involving not actually losing a game and still maintaining dogged pace with current league leaders, Manchester United) is not as bad as the media want the Chelsea faithful to believe. As was expected, the Stamford Bridge crowd made their feelings well known “to whom it may concern” with regular, resounding cheers of “José Mourinho” and stood in their seats to “Stand up for the Special One” which even the most jobsworth of stewards had to let go.

 

“The Special One” seemed to have brushed aside thoughts on his own future and focused on what he does best – MOTIVATING THE TEAM AND WINNING.   These 3 points maintain the 6 point gap and the 4 goals help towards at least a start in reducing the goal difference between the top two.

 

Wigan, understandably cautious after a recent run of successive defeats, began with a 4-5-1 formation with a slightly more streamlined Emile Heskey up front.  They tentatively held their own during the opening period until, England goalkeeping hopeful, Chris Kirkland and Wigan defender, Fitz decided to play a quick game of “Shall you get it or I?” as Lampard floated a curling but innocuous free-kick towards the far post.  Fitz obviously was prepared to dare the most, and let the ball bounce and go past him as Kirkland sank down to his left and watched the ball almost apologetically pass inside the far post.  I imagine many non-Chelsea fans watching the match would have almost spat their beer out before cries of “Bloody lucky Lampard goal again!”

 

Chelsea then began to dominate, with Robben and Bridge demonstrating excellent link up play and Ballack seemingly spraying the ball around with relish, although some fans would have eyed the score board at regular intervals – “Still only 1-0.  Hmmmm…”).

 

The 2^nd half was pretty much all about the Robben Show.  The man is on fire after coming back from injury and gave the Wigan defence a torrid time.  Time after time, he scampered past Wigan players with ease.  On the 63^rd minute, Norwegian Wigan debutant, Haestad, decided to play a long back-pass to Kirkland.  I can only conclude that Haestad didn’t see Robben obscured by a fellow defender, as the ball passed invitingly in front of the Chelsea winger who gratefully accepted the late Christmas present and rounded Kirkland to make it 2-0.

 

Robben´s second (or will it count as an own goal?) came after again, he darted past 2 Wigan defenders on the left, and despite finding himself pressed up against the by-line, slotted across goal – Kirkland attempted to smother but only succeeded in squirming the ball into his own net.

With 10 minutes left, Robben was substituted by 17 year old striker, Ben Sahar but left the field to loud applause.

 

To round off a good afternoon’s work, in injury time, Drogba produced a bullet header 4^th goal from a great Mikel Obi cross.  This was “The Drog´s” 21^st goal of the season!

 

Man of the Match was unquestionably, Robben, and no doubt Liverpool fans, with next weekends match in mind, would have scratched their chins a bit and began to go through the different permutations of Rafa´s “Robben containment” plan.