Wigan 3-1 Chelsea

This wasn't supposed to happen! In fact before the match you might have said that this couldn't happen. But it did, and what's more the best team on the day, won.

It's results like this that make football such a fascinating game, unless of course you happened to be a Chelsea fan watching them loose their otherwise unblemished seasonal record. The first shock was when a Titus Bramble header put his side ahead after 16 minutes but that was just a preview of what was to come. There were not many pundits forecasting a home win, and it would have been easy to pass off that first goal as a flash in the pan.

Wigan's opening goal was cleverly developed from a short corner. N'Zogbia beat the Chelsea defence, when an accurate cross allowed Bramble to open the scoring, with a simple but well executed header. The 'Blues' fans expected the home side to be severely punished for their audacity, but it was not to be as the Northerners continued to dominate. In fact Chelsea were lucky to reach the interval with only a one goal deficit, as John Terry was fully engaged to prevent Jason Scotland breaking through. Then Petr Cech had to make a good save from Emmerson Boyce, to prevent a copycat goal from a short corner.

Within a couple of minutes of the restart Drogba had levelled the scores, as he nutmegged the Wigan keeper and the visiting Chelsea fans were back in full voice. However, the situation was short lived when, in the 53rd minute the mighty Cech was deemed to have conceded a penalty. As Rodallega menaced his goal he seemed to trip the Columbian who was almost sure to score. The referee judged the goalkeeper to be the last defender and he was shown the red card. He didn't agree with the decision but his protests were in vain and he had to leave the field. Substitute keeper Hilario replaced Malouda in a damage limitation exercise, but it was not to be, and Rodallega blasted the ball home from the spot to regain the lead.

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Even with ten men remaining, it was not beyond the realm of possibilities for Chelsea to grab the initiative, but they never really looked like doing so. In fact they were reduced to nine men when Ashley Cole went off injured in stoppage time, and Scharner put the icing on a Wigan cake with a third goal. His side left the field, to thunderous and well deserved applause, for their first Premiership win against a 'big four' side.

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Wigan 3-1 Chelsea
soccer and football
Wigan 3-1 Chelsea

Was England's Win an Italian Job?

England 5 - 1 Croatia

This was a class performance by England, against a lack lustre Croatia. Every England supporter will be delighted that there was no repeat of the sub standard performance four years ago, when Steve McClaren's side were hustled out of the World Cup, by who else, Croatia!

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England goals came after 7, 18, 59, 67, and 78 minutes, and had the hard to please, English sporting press, singing praises for the Italian manager. Actually, the term 'manager' suits Fabio Capello far better than 'coach' because that's what he does, 'Manage'.

There were two goals for Frank Lampard, including a sweetly struck trademark penalty, for England first goal. Two for Steven Gerrard, still proving himself to be one of the best midfielders in the world, and one for Wayne Rooney. Although Rooney had worked hard all evening his goal was a sitter, after a farcical miss kick by the Croatian keeper. However, he was also responsible for the pinpoint pass that allowed Gerrard to nab his second goal.

The man of the match was Aaron Lennon, who was clumsily and, perhaps, needlessly brought down in the area, to allow Lampard to score from the spot after 8 minutes. Lennon didn't actually score himself, but was much involved in Gerrard's and Lampard's first goals.

This was a fine performance by England, with much credit due to the manager and the players. Their participation in South Africa next year is now assured, but whether they can win the World Cup is a different matter. They will undoubtedly meet more accomplished and determined opposition than was offered by Croatia, who managed a token late goal from the much booed Eduardo. That was a bit unfortunate as he was previously fouled in the area by Johnson, and penalties have been awarded for a lot less.

So, England will be at the party, and for the present, at least, it seems to be very much an Italian job!

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England 5-0 Croatia
soccer and football
England 5-0 Croatia