Chelsea's Grant: The ruthless one

Chelsea — remember them? — watched the top two slug it out in a lunchtime heavyweight contest that failed to provide a winner, then took care of their own business in ominous fashion.

In truth, theirs was a mere catchweight bout against a struggling Wigan side now nursing a record of six straight defeats and facing a long, hard winter to avoid relegation. But the ruthless efficiency which was a prime factor in landing two of the past three League championships is back in evidence. So much for the fall of Roman's empire after the exit of Jose What's-his-name.

Wigan were lucky to limit their better, stronger, quicker opponents to early goals from Frank Lampard and Juliano Belletti as Chelsea climbed to within three points of the Premiership front-runners.

Four successive wins, including the clinical 6-0 demolition that punctured Manchester City's inflated hopes, have followed the stumbling 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford that greeted new boss Avram Grant.

"I don't think any team could have turned it round the way we have," said Grant, with that hint of arrogance Mourinho always had.

Grant has a point and Wenger can expect a battle royal next month at The Emirates. Canny Ferguson will have pencilled in United's late April trip to Stamford Bridge as a potential decider.

Chelsea were in crisis when Grant took charge. He said: 'This club were in a very difficult position. We have shown character and strength, played good football and come right back into the race.

"We are developing our game all the time and we have a style of our own. It was never going to happen in one day but in the last few games we have played in the style we want.

"People ask me about Arsenal and United. But we have our own style. It may not be like theirs, but we still play positive football."

Chelsea fans were delighted by inform Lampard's seventh goal of the campaign, by Juliano Belletti's stunning first goal since a summer move from Barcelona and by Shaun Wright- Phillips' brand of joyous attacking.

The mood among Wigan's support is less clear-cut. While many repeatedly sang the theme from the Great Escape, others favour a move for old boy Roberto Martinez, managing so well at Swansea.

Beleaguered Chris Hutchings, fired by Bradford in the first week of November 2000 from his only other No 1 job, knows that slipping into the bottom three for the first time has stepped up the pressure.

Chairman Dave Whelan leaves today for a break in Barbados, from where he once sacked Bruce Rioch. He also dispatched Graham Barrow as boss after lunching with friends at his club. While Whelan ponders Wigan's plight over cocktails and seafood, Graeme Souness, whom he admires, is available. As a thinker outside the box, he might even consider asking Paul Jewell to return.

Hutchings dare not rush back Emile Heskey from a broken metatarsal but without the England striker Wigan struggle to even threaten a win. Skipper and former Chelsea right back Mario Melchiot said: 'If we had no morale, we would not have been able to play like we did in the second half. We're big enough men to try to dig ourselves out."

Hutchings said: "There could be a few managers under pressure. I've got a supportive chairman and everyone knows the injuries we've had. We haven't the biggest squad, but I have belief in the players"

WIGAN (4-5-1): Kirkland; Melchiot, Granqvist, Bramble, Kilbane; Valencia, Brown (Skoko 85min), Scharner, Landzaat (Sibierski 82), Koumas; M Bent. Subs (not used): Pollitt, Boyce, Aghahowa. Booked: Landzaat, Bramble.

CHELSEA (4-3-2-1): Cech; Belletti, Alex, Carvalho, Bridge; Essien (Sidwell 76), Mikel, Lampard; Wright-Phillips, Malouda; Drogba (Kalou 75). Subs (not used): Cudicini, Ben Haim, Shevchenko. Booked: Drogba.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).