NNewew VVisionision SPORT Wednesday, January 2, 2013 39 Wigan makes first profit in six years Chelsea is transformed-Lampard WIGAN LONDON And after having dropped Everton highlighted the Premier League football club off the pace during a disas- midfielder's uncertain Wigan Athletic has posted its Frank Lampard says trous dip in form in future with the 34-year-old first profit in years as it trims Chelsea's dramatic upturn November and early yet to receive an offer of a salaries and cuts debt. The in form has transformed the December, Lampard new contract despite club reported a net profit of Premier League title race. believes the club can once becoming a free agent at £4.3m for the year to the end Lampard struck twice in again be considered serious the end of the season. of May, compared with a loss the 2-1 victory over Everton contenders. Chelsea manager Benitez of £7.2m the year before. at Goodison Park that "We have to keep believ- has steered clear of the It is the first time in six years moved the Blues back up to ing," said the midfielder. debate surrounding Wigan has made a profit. third place and ensured "There is a long way to go Lampard's future and faces Wigan ended the season cov- they face bottom club and things have changed a more immediate problem ered by the figures in 15th Queens Park Rangers at around. with goalkeeper Petr Cech a place in the top-ranked Stamford Bridge looking for "It can only happen if we doubt for the visit of QPR. Premier League. Turnover Today: Premier League a seventh win in eight win our games but if we go Cech was replaced at half- was £52.6m, up from £50.5m. Chelsea v QPR SS3 games. on performing like we have time against Everton and Wages were the club’s big- Liverpool v Sunderland SS7 Four successive league done in the last few league Benitez said: "He felt some- gest expenditure, although At 11pm, SS3 wins have moved Rafael games and keep doing that, thing in his adductor so we the bill has fallen to £37.7m, Newcastle v Everton Benitez's side to within it's all we can do. didn't want to take any risk. compared with £39.9m. eleven points of leaders "We need to keep this We'll have to do a scan and It spent £10.4m on new play- Manchester United with a form and this attitude." see and this depends on the ers, and gained £7.9m in game in hand. Lampard's double at doctors." profit from player sales, Chelsea’s Lampard and Matta ready to lead the team past QPR including that of Charles N’Zogbia to Aston Villa. Debt, which includes borrowings and loans from Wigan’s chair- man Dave Whelan and his family, was cut to £20.5m from £72.2m, with £48m in borrowings converted in to shares in the club. Walcott to make Huge step peace with Gunners LONDON Theo Walcott has dropped the biggest hint yet that he is ready to sign a new contract and stay in North London for the foreseeable future. Hernandez, van Persie Arsene Wenger appears to have breathed a new lease of life into the 23-year-old after finally granting his wish to keep United ticking over play him up front. The Gunners forward, said: ‘I’m sure that something will be sorted very soon. ‘I’ve always said I wanted to stay and I enjoy playing for this team. WIGAN always carried the greater threat and were the first to Now we will just see what happens. ‘I will continue to Javier Hernandez and Robin threaten when Hernandez surged onto a ball from van play my football and let the van Persie each scored twice people who look after me as Manchester United pre- Persie and had his shot saved by Ali Al Habsi at the near and the club talk to each served their seven-point lead other and go from there.’ at the top of the Premier post. League with a 4-0 win at the Ashley Young burst through DW Stadium on Tuesday. a challenge from James Alex Ferguson made five McArthur and sent a teasing Van Persie still changes to the side that beat cross across the area, but it West Bromwich Albion 2-0 on had just too much on it for hurts Mancini Saturday. Ryan Giggs to touch in at the MANCHESTER While eight players have far post. started all four of Wigan's fes- Wigan continued to dictate, tive matches, only four -- but once again they were Robin van Persie’s decision to David de Gea, Patrice Evra, undone by a long ball, this join Manchester United Jonny Evans and Michael time from Giggs, and instead of Manchester City is Carrick -- had to do the same Hernandez turned in, only to proving the difference in the for United. be called back for offside. race to the Premier League The Latics never got going The Latics almost made the title, according to City man- and trailed to goals from most of all of their possession ager Roberto Mancini. Hernandez and van Persie at when Franco Di Santo The Dutch striker joined half-time, with Hernandez attempted to lob over the top United from Arsenal for a taking his tally to 12 for the for Arouna Kone and Jean reported 24 million pounds season with a second goal Beausejour seized on Rio ($39 million) last August and after the break. Ferdinand's clearance before his 14 goals in 20 league thumping high and wide. games have helped Alex The Mexican further under- Premier league results lined his reputation as a goal- United finally clicked into Ferguson’s team open a sev- poacher, with every single gear just before the half-hour Man City 3 Stoke 0 en-point Premier League lead one of his 31 Premier League mark and when Tom Cleverley Swansea 2 Aston Villa 2 over defending champions goals having come from fin- played Giggs into space, the City. “At the moment, he is the ishes inside the penalty area. veteran's cross was turned Tottenham 3 Reading 1 difference between us,” Van Persie continued his wide by Maynor Figueroa West Brom 1 Fulham 2 Mancini told local media. “He fine scoring form by taking with Hernandez ready to has scored 14 Premier League his tally to 16 league goals for pounce at the far post. West Ham 2 Norwich 1 goals and it is clear he has the season, as Ferguson's Ferguson's side went closer Wigan 0 United 4 changed their situation. team made it eight wins in still when Al Habsi failed to “We were very close three or nine matches. deal with a van Persie free- four months before he joined Wigan enjoyed plenty of kick and Gary Caldwell just United. We were sure he was blocked from Giggs. for us but it didn’t happen. early possession but United United star Hernandez opened the year with two goals to guide United past Wigan.