Chelsea returned to winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge, but the scoreline was somewhat flattering. Rafa Benitez’s side won their first game in three outings but this was anything but an impressive display and Wigan will feel they could have taken something from their trip to west London.
Mario Balotelli opened his Premier League account for the season and James Milner lashed home a screamer as Manchester City remained hard on the heels of Manchester United with a 2-0 victory over Wigan at the DW Stadium. Balotelli, who had earlier headed a glorious chance wide of the target, broke the deadlock in the 69th minute as he seized on a fumble from Ali Al Habsi following Gareth Barry’s shot to rifle home at the second attempt. And substitute Milner, who had only joined the fray just before the hour mark, made sure of the victory three minutes later as he arrowed an unstoppable effort into the top corner of the net from outside the area after Barry’s square ball, only for the England midfielder’s goalscoring cameo came to an unhappy end soon after as he limped out of the action and straight down the tunnel.