Chelsea kept up pace at the Premiership summit after easing past Wigan Athletic 2-0 at JJB Stadium on Saturday. Frank Lampard continued his recent sparkling form after notching the opener in the 11th minute. The England midfielder connected with Shaun Wright-Philips' curling cross to slot past Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland. Brazilian full-back Juliano Belletti fired a powerful shot into the top corner of the net seven minutes later to add the second following an impressive run from his own half. The victory put Chelsea in third place of the Premiership table with 24 points, three behind joint leaders Manchester United and Arsenal. Elsewhere, Portsmouth condemned Newcastle United to their first home defeat with a thrashing 4-1 victory at St James Park, scoring three goals in four minutes early in the first-half. Noe Pamarot put the visitors ahead after eight minutes before Premiership top scorer Benjani Mwaruwari doubled the lead just one minute later. John Utaka added the third in the 11th minute before an own goal by Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell narrowed the gap. Niko Kranjcar killed off Newcastle hopes in the 70th minute.
