Heskey does United a massive favour

Chelsea 1-1 Wigan: Emile Heskey's injury-time equaliser for Wigan dealt a massive blow to Chelsea's Premier League title hopes after a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are now five points behind leaders Manchester United in the title race following Heskey's late volley which equalised Michael Essien's 55th minute opener.

Petr Cech returned in goal for Chelsea as Avram Grant made wholesale changes to his side with Thursday's trip to Everton in mind.

Didier Drogba, Claude Makelele, Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole were all given the night off while Joe Cole was left on the bench. Frank Lampard was a late withdrawal because of illness.

Steve Bruce's unchanged Wigan side worked hard to stifle Chelsea and succeeded in frustrating both the home team and fans, evidence of which came when the Blues were booed off at half-time after a turgid display.

Nicolas Anelka was off-target with a fifth-minute header and Chris Kirkland was forced to claw out the Frenchman's looping header from under his own crossbar just before the half-hour mark, but the home side were constantly too slow and laboured in their build-up to cause the visitors any major problems.

Paul Scharner attempted to give the Blues a helping hand ten minutes before the break but the Austrian's header towards his own goal from Juliano Belletti's corner was cleared off the line by Ryan Taylor.

Joe Cole was introduced at half-time and made an instant impression but his shot after a mazy run was blocked by Taylor.

John Terry's volley from a corner struck the Wigan bar as the home side increased the tempo and Kirkland was forced into a wonderful point-blank block from Kalou but Chelsea's pressure told 10 minutes after the break when they grabbed the lead.

Anelka shielded the ball with his back to the Wigan goal before laying the ball off to the on-rushing Michael Essien who side-footed home first-time from just outside the box, much to the relief of Grant.

The goal took some of the pressure off the home side and they could have extended their lead but Essien's first touch was too heavy when he was put through on goal and Kirkland sprinted from his line to snuff out the danger.

Cole and Anelka were both narrowly off target again and Cech was forced into a late save from Antoine Sibierski's first-time effort but Wigan were not to be denied deep into injury time.

Substitute Jason Koumas curled the ball in from the left and Heskey arrived to volley the ball past Cech, sparking scenes of jubilation on the Wigan bench.