The Blues slipped to defeat in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Manchester United on Wednesday night, and they produced a laboured display in this one.
Didier Drogba created an early opening but Ramires was unable to turn home Frank Lampard’s delivery, and Wigan took heart from this.
A controversial offside flag denied Charles N’Zogbia a scoring chance while one-on-one, and Hugo Rodallega had an effort blocked by Ashley Cole before James McCarthy volleyed wide.
At the other end Ali Al Habsi made a smart reaction save to prevent Malouda volleying Chelsea in front before Drogba wastefully fired wide, and when the Ivory Coast international did get an effort on target his shot was tipped over smartly by Al Habsi.
But the growing tension was finally lifted with 23 minutes remaining when Al Habsi flapped at David Luiz’s flick-on and Maloua was left with the simple task of adding the finishing touch.
Franco Di Santo and Tom Cleverley tested Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech as time ran out on Wigan, while Al Habsi did ensure Fernando Torres will have to wait a little longer for his first goal for the Blues.