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Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari believes he survived his first test on the road after his side defeated Wigan Athletic 1-0 to go top of the Premier League at the JJB Stadium on Sunday.
A brilliant free-kick goal by Deco, his second in as many games since joining from Barcelona for $US8 million ($A9.24 million), saved Chelsea’s blushes after an unconvincing display against one of the top flight’s lightweights.
It was a world away from the spectacular 4-0 romp over Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge seven days earlier.
Yet victory was enough to send Chelsea, who were pipped for the title by Manchester United last season, to the top, five points ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reigning champions, who are away at Portsmouth on Monday.
Scolari admitted he was a relieved man after Czech Republic keeper Petr Cech was forced to produce a string of fine saves to deny Wigan.
The Chelsea manager said: “We didn’t play well because we didn’t pressure Wigan.
“This is my first test away from Stamford Bridge.
“What I expected I saw out on the field. In England you never say first versus last is easy.”
Wigan, already denied the services of Austrian defender Paul Scharner to injury, were dealt a severe blow before the match had started when keeper Chris Kirkland was injured in the pre-match warm up.
That paved the way for second-choice stopper Mike Pollitt to make his first Premier League start since conceding two goals against Arsenal nine months ago.
Yet the 36-year-old’s first touch was to fish the ball from the back of his net after Deco’s magnificently executed set-piece.
Wigan have yet to win their first point after opening the season with two defeats.
But manager Steve Bruce is refusing to press the panic button after an encouraging display which frightened the life out of Chelsea.
Bruce said: “The top teams only lose two or three games a season and we have missed an outstanding chance.
“Chelsea have had a bad day in my opinion, but one piece of brilliance by Deco has won it for them.”
Meanwhile, the treatment of Manchester City defender Micah Richards by medical staff drew praise from manager Mark Hughes following their 3-0 victory over West Ham at Eastlands.
With owner Thaksin Shinawatra and members of his family looking on, City bounced back from the defeat by Aston Villa to secure the three points.
Richards was knocked unconscious in an aerial collision with team-mate Tal Ben Haim and was treated on the pitch a minute into the second half for eight minutes. He came to in the tunnel before being taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary for further checks.
Hughes said: “Micah was a little bit groggy obviously but the paramedics did their job. There are always concerns when you see incidents like this.”
Daniel Sturridge made the breakthrough with his first senior goal at Eastlands before Elano grabbed a brace against 10-man West Ham, who had Mark Noble sent off in the first half.
West Ham manager Alan Curbishley, again without a number of key men through injury, was disappointed at the way his side caved in during the second half.
He said: “I do not think any one of my players can hold their hands up and say they performed.
“Given the personnel we have available, I do not think we were equipped to play with 10 men.”
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