Wigan 1 Chelsea 1: Latics deserved a point, admits André Villas-Boas

André Villas-Boas admitted a draw was probably a fair result after Jordi Gómez scored an 88th-minute equaliser to give Wigan Athletic a point against Chelsea.

After a tight first half, Daniel Sturridge’s clinically-taken strike edged Chelsea ahead after the break and Villas-Boas’ side looked destined for victory – but a mistake by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech allowed Gómez to level.

A disappointed Villas-Boas conceded Wigan were deserving of their equaliser after a determined performance from Roberto Martinez’s side.

“It is a disappointing result. Especially to concede just three minutes from the end and to prevent us from getting the victory,” said Villas-Boas, whose side are now six points behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more.

“It was a hard-fought game. Wigan had more chances and they fought hard to get a good result. I think in the last minutes if we had kept the ball a bit better we would have taken the points. But Wigan at that time had the momentum and the crowd behind them and they got the goal they deserved.

“It is difficult in the Christmas period to play away from home. It is always a battle in the Premier League. We didn’t get the three points we thought we could get. But we have to continue to fight with massive game against Tottenham on Thursday.”

Sturridge put Chelsea ahead after 59 minutes when the England international showed superb skill to control Ashley Cole’s cross and fire a low finish past Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.

Villas-Boas withdrew Juan Mata and Sturridge as the Chelsea boss looked to close out the match.

But two minutes from time, Wigan substitute Hugo Rodallega burst into the penalty area, sent a low pass across the face of Cech’s goal and the Blues goalkeeper failed to hold onto the cross, allowing Gómez to tap into the empty net.

Wigan boss Martinez was delighted with the draw and praised his side’s positive attitude after they closed the gap on 17th-placed Woves to a single point.

“The performance was perfect from our point of view,” said Martinez. “I was disappointed when we conceded the goal which was the only shot on target which they had. It was a real piece of quality.

“But to have more corners, more possession and more chances then Chelsea speaks volumes of the concentration and the good work of the players today.”