Soccer: Crespo saves Chelsea blushes

LONDON - Argentine substitute Hernan Crespo scored a stoppage-time winner to give champions Chelsea a dramatic 1-0 victory at promoted Wigan Athletic yesterday.

Wigan, playing their first game in the English Premier League, looked set for a fully-deserved draw or even a sensational win before Crespo smashed in a heartbreaking shot in the 93rd minute.

Arsenal needed late goals to beat 10-man Newcastle United 2-0 in the early game, captain Thierry Henry converting an 81st minute penalty and substitute Robin van Persie sealing a laboured win.

But the real excitement was at the JJB Stadium, where Wigan played some fine attacking football and showed real determination against a Chelsea side who won the title last season at a canter.

Chelsea, whose owner Roman Abramovich has lavished 330 million ($843.7 million) on the club, deployed all their attacking force on a team who rolled with the punches and hit back in style.

Damien Francis and Henri Camara tested Chelsea keeper Petr Cech though Wigan's best early chance was sent over the top by Irish midfielder Alan Mahon.

Unable to get into their stride, Chelsea threatened little at the other end and it was no surprise when Jose Mourinho threw on new winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joe Cole for Arjen Robben and Eidur Gudjohnsen after the break.

Crespo replaced Ireland winger Damien Duff on the hour as Mourinho searched in vain for the breakthrough against a club who left minor-league football only in 1978.

Francis gave Chelsea a fright with an 82nd minute header that hit the crossbar and substitute Andreas Johansson then failed to make more of a three-on-one breakaway.

But a point was cruelly snatched away from Paul Jewell's men when Crespo - back after a loan spell at AC Milan - hammered home a superb shot from outside the area.

At Highbury, Newcastle were equally spirited but paid the price for a 32nd-minute red card shown to England midfielder Jermaine Jenas for a lunging tackle on Gilberto.

Graeme Souness' re-vamped team held out until Fredrik Ljungberg went down under a challenge by substitute Charles N'Zogbia and Henry steered the spot-kick just beyond Shay Given in the 81st minute.

Van Persie put the result beyond doubt six minutes later, side-footing home from the narrowest of angles after being picked out by Ljungberg at the near post.

Yet the scoreline flattered Arsenal. They struggled to break down opponents who made light work of being a man down in their first game of the season.

"It was a difficult game against a good team," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports News.

As for Jenas, Wenger said: "It looked to me a dangerous tackle, when he brings his right foot in ... that took Gilberto's stand leg. It looked to me a dark yellow or a clear red.

"We've had players sent off for less than that."

- REUTERS