Six new faces for Latics
Paul Jewell handed debuts to six players as Wigan began their first season in the Barclays Premiership with a fairytale home clash against champions Chelsea.
Mike Pollitt started in goal as John Filan was sidelined with a hernia problem, and joining him in the side were fellow newcomers Pascal Chimbonda, Stephane Henchoz, Damien Francis and Henri Camara.
Arjan de Zeeuw was making his second debut for the club after rejoining from Portsmouth.
Argentinian left-back Asier del Horno was the one debutant in the Chelsea line-up, and at £8million cost more than the six new players on show for the Latics.
The contrast between the two sides was underlined by Chelsea’s £21m winger Shaun Wright-Phillips beginning on the bench alongside Joe Cole and Hernan Crespo.
Wigan v Chelsea teams
Wigan: Pollitt, Chimbonda, De Zeeuw, Henchoz, Baines, Teale, Bullard, Francis, Mahon, Camara, Roberts.
Subs: McMillan, Jackson, Johansson, Walsh, Taylor.
Chelsea: Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Gallas, Terry, Del Horno, Duff, Lampard, Makelele, Robben, Drogba, Gudjohnsen.
Subs: Crespo, Joe Cole, Cudicini, Wright-Phillips, Huth.
Referee: M Clattenburg (Co Durham)
