Juan Mata's last-gasp winner moved Chelsea to within two points of the top four after Branislav Ivanovic's controversial opener set them on course for a 2-1 win over Wigan on Saturday. Mata found himself in the right place at the right time to turn home from close range after Fernando Torres had fired a volley against the post in the third minute of stoppage-time at Stamford Bridge.
But it was Chelsea's first goal that sparked a furious reaction from Wigan, who were convinced the Serb was well offside when his turned home a Raul Meireles cross. Referee Mike Jones ignored the protests of the visitors and awarded the goal after consulting with his assistant, although replays supported Wigan's claims that they had been hard done by.
Wigan's misery didn't end there and they left empty-handed after believing they had secured a deserved point after Mohamed Diame's 82nd minute effort had cancelled out Ivanovic's 62nd minute strike. Chelsea are now up to fifth, above Newcastle on goal difference, and within two points of fourth placed Arsenal, who host Manchester City on Sunday.
The midweek Champions League quarter-final win over Benfica had kept the Blues' recent impressive run going and set up the tantalising prospect of a semi-final meeting with Barcelona. But interim manager Roberto Di Matteo had attempted to re-focus his players' minds in the league ahead of this game by insisting a fourth place finish was still Chelsea's main target.
With a trip to local rivals Fulham looming on Monday, Di Matteo took the opportunity to rotate his squad, making seven changes from the side that started against Benfica. Luis Suarez's late effort cancelled out Chris Herd's goal as Liverpool fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Premier League strugglers Aston Villa at Anfield here on Saturday.
Kenny Dalglish, in his second spell as Liverpool manager, ended the club's six-year wait for a trophy when he guided the Merseysiders to a League Cup final win in February and they have an FA Cup semi-final against local rivals Everton to look forward to at Wembley next weekend. But their Premier League form remains a concern, despite this result ending a run of six defeats in seven matches.
Norwich striker Grant Holt bagged a second-half equaliser as Everton were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at Carrow Road on Saturday. Everton led twice through goals from Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic but Jonny Howson got Norwich's first equaliser before the break and Holt struck with 14 minutes to play to ensure the spoils were shared. Holt's 13th Premier League goal of the season was just reward for a dynamic display from the forward, who remains the second-highest English goalscorer in the Premier League behind only Manchester United's Wayne Rooney. The draw means that Norwich have now reached 40 points, while Everton remain in seventh place ahead of Liverpool going into next week's FA Cup semi-final showdown with their Merseyside rivals at Wembley.
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