Wigan 0-2 Chelsea - Latics Pay The Price For Bad Start

Wigan were left to rue an awful start to the opening game of the season, as European Champions Chelsea put them to the sword in the opening minutes.

With only seven minutes played, Roberto Martinez’s men faced an uphill task following goals from Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard.

Ivanovic was sent through as the impressive Eden Hazard led a Chelsea break at pace right through the heart of the Latics defence. The Serbian international, who was allowed to play despite his red card against Manchester City last weekend, finished confidently past Ali Al Habsi.

Roberto Martinez

Hazard was then upended by debutant Ivan Ramis, and Lampard smashed his penalty under the body of Al Habsi. It was a horror start to Ramis’s career as he tormented early on. Although he crew in confidence as did his team, and produced an excellent clearance in the second half, when Fernando Torres was through on goal.

Victor Moses twice went close for the Latics, forcing Peter Cech into a sharp save and subs Jordi Gomez and Arouna Kone went close late on, as they went in search for a way back into the clash.

Despite the poor start the Latics dominated much of the play but were lacking the killer touch. The absence of Jean Beasejouer was telling as the Latics were continually left wanting in the final third.

Arouna Kone & Franco Di Santo

They were unlucky not to get at least one goal that their play deserved. Kone looked impressive when he came on, and once he settled was a real threat, and is sure to be involved from the start against Southampton.

Manager Roberto Martinez speaking after the games was delighted with the work rate and desire his side displayed, despite the poor start: “In those first six minutes we looked exposed, created our own problems and were punished as a result. We started with a low intensity just like a pre season game, against a side like Chelsea we could not afford to do that.”

The Spaniard went on to explain: “We were unfortunate not to get a goal we deserved; you know how well Chelsea defend but we created good chances that didn’t quite find a way through. So delighted with the reaction, disappointed we couldn’t start the game with the same high intensity as the response but it’s left us with many positives.”

“We were the best side for 75 minutes which is a real statement against a team like Chelsea.”

Despite the horror start fans will have left the DW on Sunday afternoon, quietly confident that their side do indeed have enough to stay clear of the drop zone, and will be backing the team at Southampton next weekend.

Latics Prepare For Life After Moses

Victor Moses’ has moved a step closer to a move to European Champions Chelsea, following advanced talks between the two clubs. 

This evening the BBC have reported that owner, Dave Whelan met with officials from the London club on Wednesday, to finally bring an end to the saga. 

It is understood that Chelsea must match the valuation put in place by Whelan, which it is believed to be in the region of £8.5 million, and Moses has been informed that he will remain at the club if a deal is not struck.

Victor Moses 

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo is believed to be a big admirer of the Nigerian international, and is keen to include him in his squad ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash against Manchester City. Ironically in the first game of the new Premier League season, Moses is likely to make his competitive debut against his former employers as they visit the DW on the opening weekend. 

Latics boss Roberto Martinez will be keen to secure the services of a replacement for Moses. Arsenal’s Japanese international Ryo Miyaichi, is believed to be on radar along with the view of a loan deal. On the permanent side of things Stoke City’s Jermaine Pennant and Blackpool’s Matt Phillips are being monitored.

Ryo Miyaichi 

We will wait and see if another striker is brought in to bolster the front line, with Argentinean pair Franco Di Santo and Mauro Boselli expected to lead the line.

It is crucial that the Latics move quickly in the market in order to ensure that they have players in place ahead of the start of the season, with just over a week until kick off, the countdown is well and truly on.

David Moyes - Everton boss celebrates 10 years at the helm

Recently lauded by the great Sir Alex Ferguson it is fair to say that, despite not winning any trophies the job done at Everton by David Moyes is nothing short of remarkable. He deserves the plaudits coming his way this week as he celebrates ten years in charge of the blue half of Merseyside.

Tim Cahill & David Moyes

When he joined back in the spring of 2002 his appointment was met by many of Gladys Street faithful with scepticism. The decision from Bill Kenwright to blood a young rookie manager in the place of the hugely experienced Walter Smith was a bold move and looking back now was perhaps the best decision ever made by the owner.

At the time they were a club going nowhere fast. Moyes joined a dressing room that was on its last legs and seemingly heading out of the league. He swiftly moved the likes of Paul Gascoigne and David Ginola out and focussed on bringing in youth with Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert being the first to be blooded in.

His focus from an early stage was on youth and he has given opportunities to a number of youth starts including Wayne Rooney. Today he has Jack Rodwell who is attracting interest from a number of big clubs and has Ross Barkley knocking on the door for a first team slot.

Year on year he has produced teams who play with pride and passion. Osman and Hibbert are prime examples players who technically are not the greatest who have ever worn the shirt but can be relied upon to a job and do it very well.

He has worked the transfer market very well bringing in the likes of Joleon Lescott, Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar in and selling them on for huge profit. He has done very well to keep hold of Phil Jagielka and Tim Cahill who were brought in from the Championship and have blossomed into top players and are the heartbeat of the club.

Phil Jagielka

His financial control over the years would surely make him an attractive proposition for any club, as the financial fair play rules are set to kick in over the next couple of seasons. With Sir Alex taking note of his due diligence in the market: “David has had to contend with not having a strong financial structure.”

The January transfer window saw plenty of action with Darron Gibson and the return of Pienaar bolstering the numbers. The signing of Nikica Jelavic from Rangers looks an excellent bit of business with the Croat scoring the winner on his full debut against Tottenham over the weekend.

The decision to move Louis Saha on will have perhaps raised a few eyebrows but, put simply the former Manchester United man does not fit into Moyes’ ethos he was also a big earner and his sale balanced the books.

The recent run of results see Everton go into a big week in good form. A win in the Derby on Tuesday could see them overhaul their neighbours in the league and then they face Sunderland in the cup on the weekend with a place at Wembley on offer.

Over the years it would have been easy for Moyes to walk away he has had many suitors. Many thought the sale of Arteta to Arsenal back in August would have perhaps seen him turn his back on the club. He held firm and any move from Goodison would be well thought out as he has fallen in love with the ‘People’s Club.’

Cup success this season would be truly deserved having come so close in 2009 when his side fell just short at the hands of Chelsea.

Sir Alex Ferguson & David Moyes

At the age of 48 he is relatively young and has plenty more to offer the game and will go onto achieve much more, Evertonian’s will hope it comes with their club.

Sir Alex Ferguson will have a huge say in who comes into replace him when he finally calls it a day. Following his praise of his fellow Glaswegian over the recent months, who would be surprised if Moyes moved over Old Trafford? No one will more deserving of a shot at the big time than Moyes and he would without a doubt make it work.