Chelsea Boost Champions League Hope With a 2-1 Win Over Wigan
Juan Mata’s last-minute winner saw Chelsea strengthen their bid for qualification for Champions League next season. The win at Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s Premier League keeps alive the hope of featuring in the prestigious Champions league next season by standing just two points behind fourth-placed Arsenal and ahead of Newcastle United. Only top three teams in the Premier League are guaranteed places in the Champions League proper, with the fourth-placed side set for a qualifying round. Notwithstanding, Chelsea would qualify automatically for Champions League next season by winning the current edition. The north London team faces the current Champions League title holder; Barcelona in the semi-finals coming up later in April.
Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic volleyed home in the 62nd minute to break the deadlock and the goal stood despite furious Wigan protests that he was offside. Barely a minute later the Serbian defender then preserved Chelsea’s lead with a goal-line clearance. Wigan, in the bottom three of the premier league table, equalized when Mohamed Diame struck eight minutes from time. Chelsea however grabbed a winner late in the match when, after Fernando Torres’s volley hit the post, the ball struck Mata on the chest and trickled in.
