Anelka on target in Chelsea victory

Nicolas Anelka proved why Chelsea paid £15million for his services by scoring his first goal for the FA Cup holders to steer them into the last 16 of this year's competition after a 2-1 away win over Wigan.

Anelka's predatory instincts came to the fore in the 51st minute of a mediocre fourth-round tie, before he then set up Shaun Wright-Phillips for the second goal eight minutes from time.

Wigan substitute Antoine Sibierski did score a stunning strike in the 87th minute, but it proved to be a mere consolation for boss Steve Bruce's side.

The visitors started brightly and after just 50 seconds Chelsea swiftly ripped through the Latics, culminating in Steve Sidwell sliding the ball on for Joe Cole, making his 200th appearance for the club. But the man who despatched a clinical shot to see off Everton in midweek was this time wide with a curled right-foot shot from the edge of the area.

After that, Wigan tightened up considerably in defence, with their only other moment of consternation in the opening period arriving in the 11th minute. When Kevin Kilbane collided with Anelka in the area there were Chelsea appeals for a penalty, but referee Uriah Rennie chose to dismiss the protests.

Chelsea began the second half well and their opening goal arrived six minutes after the restart. After Ryan Taylor had been robbed of the ball inside the centre circle, Chelsea broke to devastating effect, culminating in Juliano Belletti's weighted pass into the heart of the area.

With Titus Bramble just playing Anelka onside, the Frenchman beat the advancing Kirkland to the ball to stab home from 12 yards for his 12th goal of the season overall.

Following that came a moment of controversy that had the entire Chelsea bench jumping off their feet and into the technical area in protest. Off the ball, Michael Brown caught Chelsea captain Claude Makelele in the throat with an elbow, yet neither Rennie nor his assistant saw the incident.

Chelsea then clinched their place in the fifth round in the 82nd minute, initially after left-back Kilbane lost a 50-50 challenge with Anelka in the right-back position. Anelka ran on towards the area and slipped a ball across the 18-yard box for Wright-Phillips to sidefoot home off the legs of Kirkland for his sixth goal of the season.

Chelsea should then have seen the game out, but first came Sibierski's immaculate volley in off the underside of the bar.