Chelsea 1-1 Wigan

Emile Heskey’s stoppage time equaliser hands the advantage to Man Utd in the Premier League.

United are five points clear of Chelsea with four games left.

Alex Ferguson’s side can even afford to lose at Stamford Bridge on Saturday week and still coast to their second successive title.

Wigan, went into this game well organised and up for the forthcoming challenge. The visitors might have sneaked ahead midway through the first half when Petr Cech, back in the team after his training room facial injury and wearing a protective chin strap to go with his head guard, saved from Antonio Valencia.

For Chelsea, Nicolas Anelka looked like he was up for this one. Anelka forced Chris Kirkland to acrobatically save one header and Josip Skoko kicked another chance off his own line.

Avram Grant introduced a much needed Joe Cole at half time, he seemed to up Chelsea’s tempo. From a Juliano Belletti corner, John Terry volleyed against the crossbar. Soon after, Salomon Kalou was denied at point-blank range by a wonderful Kirkland block. The breakthrough was coming and it arrived when Cole’s cross was held up by Anelka. His cushioned lay-off invited Essien to strike from just inside the area and the Ghanaian’s aim was unerring.

Then the drama unfolded and Manchester United received their gift. With a minute of stoppage time already played, and only seconds after Kirkland had again denied Essien, Heskey stole in at the far post to convert an astute cross from Koumas.