Andriy Shevchenko ended his goal-drought and Michael Ballack scored his first Premiership goal for Chelsea as the English champions edged Portsmouth 2-1 on Saturday. Ukrainian prolific striker Shevchenko, who scored just once in the Premiership before the match, put Chelsea ahead ten minutes after re-start. Summer signing from Bayern Munich, Ballack, doubled the lead two minutes later before Benjamin Mwaruwari pulled one back for the visitors. The victory moved Chelsea into the top of the Premiership table with 22 points, three ahead of second-placed Manchester United, who face Liverpool on Sunday. Chelsea launched a series of offensives in the first-half but were kept at bay by Portsmouth keeper David James, who produced an outstanding form. In the 19th minute, Arjen Robben went face-to-face with the keeper after latching-on to Frank Lampard's brilliant through pass but James blocked his effort. Shevchenko almost broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when he curled a superb right-footed strike from the edge of the area but James dived to save it. Robben continued to bother the opponents' defense with his pace as Portsmouth right-back Noe Pamarot struggled to stop him.
The Dutch winger had another one-on-one situation in the 31st minute but former Manchester City keeper James denied him the opener again. Former AC Milan striker Shevchenko opened the score in the 55th minute when he connected with Robben's back pass inside the area to slot the ball home. Germany skipper Ballack added the second just two minutes later to worsen the situation for Pompey. Didier Drogba headed a wonderful cross at the far post by in-form Robben into the path of Ballack, whose close-range header fount its way into the back of the net. Earlier on Saturday, Wigan Athletic crushed Manchester City 4-0 at the JJB Stadium. Emile Heskey fired Wigan in front as early as the second minute before an own goal Richard Dunne doubled the lead. Senegal striker Henri Camara added the third five minutes past the hour mark and Luis Valencia completed the rout two minutes later.