13/01/2007  Chelsea 4 Wigan 0
 
Chelsea provided the perfect response to a week of speculation over the future of Jose Mourinho by destroying woeful Wigan at Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese coach is reported to be leaving the club in the summer but, in his pre-match programme notes, he asked the fans to rise to the challenge of helping them to overcome their indifferent period on the pitch.

They certainly heeded his request with a rousing welcome for the man who has led them to two successive titles.

And his side made light work of Wigan with strikes from Frank Lampard, Dutch winger Arjen Robben, an own goal by Latics keeper Chris Kirkland and Didier Drogba's 21st of the season.

It took Chelsea just 11 minutes to deliver their first shot at the Wigan goal. Robben and Wayne Bridge shared passes on the left flank and, when Bridge sent his low cross into the penalty area, Didier Drogba let fly with a drive that soared a yard over the crossbar.

But two minutes later Chelsea were in front thanks to stand-in captain Frank Lampard - his 13th of the season.

Robben had been fouled on the left flank and the England international midfielder's free-kick curled its way into the area and bounced into the net.

The Blues continued to probe Wigan's defences with Lampard put clear by Robben in the 21st minute only for the England man's cross to be cleared by Hall.

In the 31st minute David Cotterill was booked for a foul on Bridge and Lampard almost put Chelsea further ahead with a rasping drive from the edge of the area seconds later.

Fortunately for Wigan, goalkeeper Kirkland dived low to his right to turn Lampard's effort around the post.

Chelsea continued to make all the running in the opening half and were unlucky not to breach the Wigan defence again but Drogba was ruled offside as he bore down on goal.

Wigan had been disappointing in attack with Emile Heskey often muscled out of the action by the commanding frame of Michael Essien.

The Ghana international, playing alongside Ricardo Carvalho, at the centre of defence, easily kept the former England international in check.

Wigan were also having to deal with the silky skills of the fit again Dutch winger Robben.

He was causing Emerson Boyce plenty of problems on the left flank but his final ball often let the Dutchman's good approach work down.

Chelsea keeper Hilario was virtually a spectator as Chelsea's defence looked more solid than it had done for some weeks.

Robben continued to make life difficult for the Wigan defence and Kristofer Haestad was booked for bringing down the Dutchman in the 48th minute.

In the 56th minute, Robben tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area but he failed to get enough power behind his effort and it was comfortably saved by Kirkland.

The Chelsea fans once again gave Mourinho a chorus of "stand up for the special one" and chanted his name in a clear show of support for the Portuguese coach.

They had more to celebrate moments later when Chelsea were gifted a second goal in the 62nd minute.

Haestad's attempted back pass fell straight at the feet of Robben and the Dutchman, inspirational all afternoon, ran on, rounded the onrushing Kirkland and slipped the ball into an empty net.

It was cruel blow for the Wigan player whose line of vision had been obscured by Hall as he was put under pressure by the frame of Drogba.

In the 68th minute a sweeping move almost brought the home side a goal but Robben's curling shot was superbly saved by the diving Kirkland.

But it all went wrong for the Wigan keeper when he scored an own goal in the 69th minute. Robben's run down the left flank ended when he crossed the ball low into the penalty area and it was turned into his own net by the Wigan keeper.

It was Robben's last telling moment of the game and we was substituted in the 81st minute to a standing ovation from the home supporters.

Drogba completed the scoring in the 90th minute when he headed home a cross from Obi.

The win delivered the perfect response to the critics who continue to insist that Mourinho will walk out of Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.