By Neil Johnston BBC Sport

Juan Mata scored a stoppage-time winner to sink struggling Wigan and strengthen Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish.

Branislav Ivanovic was in an offside position when he put Chelsea ahead in controversial circumstances after a floated pass by Raul Meireles.

Mohamed Diame appeared to have earned the visitors a priceless point when he netted from the edge of the area.

But Chelsea secured victory through Mata after fellow Spaniard Fernando Torres hit the post.

It was tough on the Latics, who remain anchored in the Premier League relegation zone, but manager Roberto Martinez will be confident his side can still escape the drop if they can produce this level of performance in their remaining six games.

While Wigan proved they were no pushovers during a battling first-half performance, Chelsea appeared to be suffering a Champions League hangover following their quarter-final victory over Benfica.

Martinez 'disgusted' by officials

They were sluggish before Maynor Figueroa's 38th-minute clearance off the line frustrated Didier Drogba on his return, one of seven changes to the side that played in midweek.

With a derby match at Fulham on Monday, Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo handed Ryan Bertrand his first league start for the club while Daniel Sturridge partnered stand-in captain Drogba in attack.

Yet Wigan, who had failed to keep a Premier League clean sheet against Chelsea, were not troubled enough by the club hoping to overcome Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final.

Latics keeper Ali Al-Habsi was at his best to deny his former Bolton team-mate Gary Cahill from 25 yards in the 19th minute before Figueroa tested Petr Cech from distance at the other end.

Did you know?

Wigan have not secured a point in London since defeating Tottenham 1-0 in August 2010. Since then they have lost on all six visits to the capital, conceding 14 times.

Chelsea's frustration was evident the longer the game remained goalless.

Michael Essien was booked for a cynical foul on Victor Moses before Drogba went close with a low shot from the edge of the area which flashed narrowly wide of the Wigan post.

Then in the dying moments of the first half, Al-Habsi clawed away Drogba's goal-bound header from close range after the Ivory Coast striker had connected with Florent Malouda's teasing cross.

Al-Habsi had only managed five clean sheets before the match but he was inspirational against Chelsea.

The second half started in the same way the opening 45 minutes ended - Al-Habsi denying Drogba with his body - before the game exploded in controversy.

Di Matteo admits Chelsea 'luck'

Shaun Maloney was cautioned for a clumsy challenge on Ivanovic, who ultimately made him pay from the resulting free-kick with a 62nd-minute opener that should have been disallowed.

Wigan thought they had cleared the danger but Raul Meireles played the ball back in to an offside Ivanovic, who steered it home.

The visitors were furious and surrounded referee Mike Jones and his assistant Dave Bryan, who were unmoved.

Then Ivanovic denied Wigan when he blocked Franco Di Santo's shot on the line after a goalmouth scramble before substitute Diame crashed an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net to make it 1-1.

But the drama was far from over, with Mata scoring in the 93rd minute after Torres brilliantly volleyed Drogba's cross against the post.

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (6)

Chelsea

  • 01 Cech
  • 02 Ivanovic
  • 04 David Luiz
  • 24 Cahill
  • 34 Bertrand
  • 05 Essien Booked (Mikel - 74' )
  • 15 Malouda Booked (Torres - 59' )
  • 16 Meireles
  • 10 Mata
  • 11 Drogba
  • 23 Sturridge (Kalou - 83' )

Substitutes

  • 22 Turnbull
  • 17 Bosingwa
  • 19 Ferreira
  • 06 Romeu
  • 12 Mikel
  • 09 Torres
  • 21 Kalou

Wigan Athletic

  • 26 Al Habsi
  • 03 Alcaraz
  • 05 Caldwell
  • 17 Boyce
  • 31 Figueroa Booked
  • 04 McCarthy
  • 10 Maloney Booked
  • 11 Moses
  • 16 McArthur (Diame - 71' )
  • 22 Beausejour (Watson - 71' )
  • 09 Di Santo (Sammon - 79' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Kirkland
  • 23 Stam
  • 07 Crusat
  • 08 Watson
  • 14 Gomez
  • 21 Diame
  • 18 Sammon
Ref: Jones
Att: 40,651

Match Stats

Shots

19 13

On target

10 7

Corners

5 3

Fouls

14 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:58 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.

90:00 +5:09

Juan Mata decides to take the corner short.

90:00 +5:02

Fernando Torres crosses the ball, blocked by Antolin Alcaraz.

90:00 +4:35

The ball is swung over by Ben Watson, Gary Caldwell takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.

90:00 +4:17

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Save by Ali Al Habsi.

90:00 +3:01

A cross is delivered by Didier Drogba, Effort from deep inside the area by Fernando Torres hits the post.

90:00 +2:03

Assist by Fernando Torres.

90:00 +2:03 Goal scored

Goal - Juan Mata - Chelsea 2 - 1 Wigan Juan Mata gets on the score sheet with a goal from close range low into the middle of the goal. Chelsea 2-1 Wigan.

90:00 +1:40

Ben Watson produces a cross, Gary Caldwell takes a shot. Save made by Petr Cech.

89:53

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ben Watson on David Luiz. David Luiz takes the free kick.

89:43

Maynor Figueroa sends in a cross, clearance made by David Luiz.

85:45

Fernando Torres delivers the ball, Shot by Salomon Kalou from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.

85:03

Free kick awarded for a foul by Shaun Maloney on Juan Mata. Juan Mata takes the direct free kick.

83:25

Victor Moses has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.

82:58 Substitution

Substitution Salomon Kalou on for Daniel Sturridge.

81:57

Assist on the goal came from Ben Watson.

81:57 Goal scored

Goal - Mohamed Diame - Chelsea 1 - 1 Wigan Mohamed Diame scores a goal from outside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Chelsea 1-1 Wigan.

81:31

The ball is swung over by Emmerson Boyce, clearance made by Gary Cahill.

80:08

Shot from just outside the box by Raul Meireles goes over the crossbar.

79:58

Centre by Fernando Torres, clearance made by Gary Caldwell.

78:51 Substitution

Substitution Conor Sammon on for Franco Di Santo.

78:36

Centre by Franco Di Santo, clearance made by Gary Cahill.

77:37

Shot by Daniel Sturridge from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.

75:35

Juan Mata takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.

74:47

The ball is delivered by Maynor Figueroa, Unfair challenge on Mikel by Maynor Figueroa results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Petr Cech.

74:10

Centre by Juan Mata, Gary Caldwell makes a clearance.

73:24 Substitution

Substitution Mikel is brought on as a substitute for Michael Essien.

72:09

Victor Moses crosses the ball, blocked by Ryan Bertrand.

72:01

Shaun Maloney delivers the ball.

71:47

The official flags Juan Mata offside. Gary Caldwell restarts play with the free kick.

70:09 Substitution

Substitution Mohamed Diame is brought on as a substitute for James McArthur.

70:09 Substitution

Substitution Ben Watson replaces Jean Beausejour.

64:04 Booking

Booking Maynor Figueroa goes into the book for dissent.

67:41 Booking

Booking Maynor Figueroa goes into the book.

67:12

Shaun Maloney has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left.

66:17

Unfair challenge on Franco Di Santo by Daniel Sturridge results in a free kick. Jean Beausejour crosses the ball in from the free kick, save by Petr Cech.

65:47

The official flags Fernando Torres offside. Ali Al Habsi restarts play with the free kick.

63:17

Franco Di Santo takes a shot. Branislav Ivanovic manages to make a clearance.

64:03

Unfair challenge on Fernando Torres by Maynor Figueroa results in a free kick. Ryan Bertrand takes the free kick.

63:33

Outswinging corner taken by Shaun Maloney from the right by-line, clearance made by Michael Essien.

63:17

Shaun Maloney takes a shot. Clearance made by Branislav Ivanovic.

61:18

Assist on the goal came from Raul Meireles.

61:18 Goal scored

Goal - Branislav Ivanovic - Chelsea 1 - 0 Wigan Branislav Ivanovic finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Chelsea 1-0 Wigan.

61:17

The ball is swung over by Raul Meireles,

60:22

Free kick crossed left-footed by Juan Mata from right channel, clearance by Antolin Alcaraz.

60:22 Booking

Booking Shaun Maloney booked for unsporting behaviour.

60:13

Shaun Maloney gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Branislav Ivanovic.

58:12

Michael Essien takes the direct free kick.

58:12 Substitution

Substitution Fernando Torres joins the action as a substitute, replacing Florent Malouda.

58:12

Victor Moses concedes a free kick for a foul on Michael Essien.

56:46

Shot by Daniel Sturridge from just outside the area goes over the net.

56:36

Ryan Bertrand delivers the ball, Antolin Alcaraz makes a clearance.

55:29

Victor Moses challenges Ryan Bertrand unfairly and gives away a free kick. Petr Cech takes the free kick.

54:46

Corner taken left-footed by Juan Mata, Gary Caldwell manages to make a clearance.

54:33

Didier Drogba takes a shot. Ali Al Habsi makes a save.

54:20

Raul Meireles takes a shot. Blocked by Antolin Alcaraz.

53:37

Raul Meireles challenges Victor Moses unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Victor Moses.

53:31

The ball is delivered by Florent Malouda, clearance by Antolin Alcaraz.

52:23

Gary Caldwell restarts play with the free kick.

52:23 Booking

Booking Florent Malouda is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

52:15

Unfair challenge on James McCarthy by Florent Malouda results in a free kick.

51:59

The ball is sent over by James McArthur, Ryan Bertrand manages to make a clearance.

50:57

The ball is delivered by Didier Drogba, clearance made by Antolin Alcaraz.

50:39

The assistant referee flags for offside against Didier Drogba. Jean Beausejour restarts play with the free kick.

50:06

The referee blows for offside. Petr Cech restarts play with the free kick.

49:18

Jean Beausejour sends in a cross, Header by Emmerson Boyce from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.

48:08

Foul by Michael Essien on Franco Di Santo, free kick awarded. Jean Beausejour crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance by David Luiz.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +1:30 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

45:00 +1:08

Corner taken by Juan Mata, Maynor Figueroa makes a clearance.

45:00 +0:54

Florent Malouda crosses the ball, Didier Drogba takes a shot. Save by Ali Al Habsi.

45:00 +0:28

The ball is crossed by Franco Di Santo, clearance by Ryan Bertrand.

43:18

Ryan Bertrand sends in a cross, Daniel Sturridge takes a shot. Ali Al Habsi makes a save.

42:56

Jean Beausejour is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Gary Cahill takes the indirect free kick.

41:09

The ball is swung over by Ryan Bertrand, clearance by Gary Caldwell.

39:16

Raul Meireles concedes a free kick for a foul on Victor Moses. Maynor Figueroa has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.

37:42

Didier Drogba takes a shot. Clearance by Maynor Figueroa.

37:32

Juan Mata takes a shot. Save made by Ali Al Habsi.

36:29

The ball is sent over by Franco Di Santo, save by Petr Cech.

33:58

The assistant referee signals for offside against Franco Di Santo. Petr Cech takes the free kick.

33:35

David Luiz fouled by Franco Di Santo, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Juan Mata.

32:30

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Shaun Maloney by Branislav Ivanovic. Emmerson Boyce restarts play with the free kick.

30:38

Florent Malouda sends in a cross.

27:20

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Jean Beausejour, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Gary Caldwell goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

27:08

A cross is delivered by Shaun Maloney, Gary Cahill gets a block in.

25:48

Effort from outside the box by Didier Drogba goes wide right of the target.

24:58

Victor Moses is caught offside. David Luiz takes the free kick.

24:34

Didier Drogba crosses the ball, clearance made by James McCarthy.

23:50

Victor Moses takes a shot. Save made by Petr Cech.

23:04

Shaun Maloney sends in a cross, save made by Petr Cech.

22:46

Didier Drogba challenges Gary Caldwell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Antolin Alcaraz.

22:29

Maynor Figueroa takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.

21:47

Gary Caldwell takes the free kick.

21:47 Booking

Booking Michael Essien goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

21:40

Free kick awarded for a foul by Michael Essien on Victor Moses.

21:07

Foul by Didier Drogba on Antolin Alcaraz, free kick awarded. Antolin Alcaraz takes the direct free kick.

19:07

Gary Cahill takes a shot. Ali Al Habsi makes a save.

19:22

Inswinging corner taken by Juan Mata, Franco Di Santo makes a clearance.

19:07

Branislav Ivanovic takes a shot. Save by Ali Al Habsi.

18:56

The ball is sent over by Florent Malouda, clearance made by Gary Caldwell.

18:44

Short corner taken by Raul Meireles.

18:37

The ball is delivered by Raul Meireles, blocked by James McCarthy.

18:06

Free kick awarded for a foul by Raul Meireles on Victor Moses. James McCarthy restarts play with the free kick.

16:32

Free kick awarded for a foul by Florent Malouda on Emmerson Boyce. Free kick taken by Antolin Alcaraz.

13:35

Raul Meireles concedes a free kick for a foul on Shaun Maloney. Gary Caldwell restarts play with the free kick.

13:25

Branislav Ivanovic produces a cross, Maynor Figueroa makes a clearance.

12:45

The ball is crossed by Ryan Bertrand, Florent Malouda produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the target.

12:05

Franco Di Santo challenges Michael Essien unfairly and gives away a free kick. Michael Essien takes the direct free kick.

11:01

Free kick awarded for a foul by Gary Cahill on Franco Di Santo. Gary Caldwell restarts play with the free kick.

10:49

A cross is delivered by Didier Drogba, Gary Caldwell manages to make a clearance.

9:41

The referee blows for offside against Franco Di Santo. Indirect free kick taken by David Luiz.

8:26

Maynor Figueroa concedes a free kick for a foul on Branislav Ivanovic. Juan Mata delivers the ball, Didier Drogba takes a shot. Ali Al Habsi makes a save.

6:31

Shaun Maloney crosses the ball, Didier Drogba makes a clearance.

6:07

Corner taken short by Shaun Maloney.

5:55

Franco Di Santo takes a shot. Blocked by Gary Cahill.

5:04

Jean Beausejour is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Petr Cech restarts play with the free kick.

3:51

Foul by Branislav Ivanovic on Shaun Maloney, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Ali Al Habsi.

2:01

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Luiz by Franco Di Santo. Free kick crossed left-footed by Juan Mata from left channel, clearance by James McCarthy.

1:06

Shot from a long way out by Shaun Maloney goes wide of the left-hand upright.

0:00

The match begins.

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