Late Heskey goal dents Chelsea's hopes

LONDON, England -- Emile Heskey's shock injury-time equalizer blew a massive hole in Chelsea's hunt for the English Premier League title as visitors Wigan held the Blues to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

The 30-year-old former England striker struck a volley on his 400th top flight appearance to leave second-placed Chelsea five points behind Manchester United with four games to go.

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien looked to have sealed victory for the London side with a 55th minute shot from the edge of the penalty area.

However, Heskey gave Wigan's chances of ensuring a fourth season in the top flight a major boost with his dramatic equalizer.

It hands a massive advantage to Manchester United, who are the next visitors to Stamford Bridge on April 26. A victory for Sir Alex Ferguson's side will effectively see them retain their title.

Wigan remain in 15th place, six points clear of the relegation zone.

Chelsea coach Avram Grant made seven changes from the side which beat Fenerbahce in the Champions League -- including a recall for goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The Czech Republic international played with a special chin guard to protect 50 stitches he required after a training-ground clash with defender Tal Ben-Haim two weeks ago.

However, Grant was hampered by the sudden loss of midfielder Frank Lampard, who pulled out of the side just before kick-off because of a family illness.

Despte that handicap, Chelsea should have been in front in the fifth minute but a cross from Salomon Kalou was headed wide by Nicolas Anelka.

Wigan withstood Chelsea's early fire and created a real opportunity of their own in the 19th minute when Wilson Palacios back-heeled the ball and Antonio Valencia forced Cech into a fine save at his near post.

Chelsea were largely disappointing going forward and Anelka was left to chase hopeful long balls that Paul Scharner and Emmerson Boyce dealt with comfortably.

There was little to enthuse about Chelsea's performance during the first 45 minutes and the home fans booed their team off at the half-time whistle.

Grant's displeasure with the tepid opening half from his side produced a half-time change with Joe Cole replacing the ineffective Florent Malouda.

The move almost brought an instant reward when a shot from Cole was charged down by the Wigan defense. Then another effort from Cole in the 49th minute failed to trouble Kirkland but the England international's introduction had clearly had a galvanising effect on the home side.

The visitors began to defend deeper and deeper and Chelsea captain John Terry thumped the ball against the crossbar when he let fly with a volley from Belletti's 53rd-minute corner.

But two minutes later Chelsea were finally in front and Cole was the architect. His cross into the penalty area was collected by Anelka who looked to have wasted the chance when he slipped over but the Frenchman cleverly knocked the ball into the path of Essien, who beat goalkeeper Chris Kirkland with a rising drive.

Cole almost added a second for Chelsea in the 77th minute but his fierce, angled drive flew inches wide of the target.

Three minutes from time though Chelsea had Cech to thank when he pulled off a superb save to deny Wigan substitute Antoine Sibierski.

But worse was to come for Chelsea when Heskey volleyed home a cross from substitute Jason Koumas to leave the gap at the top looking almost too wide for Chelsea to close. E-mail to a friend