Latics ended 2005 disappointingly as a stunning strike from Steven Reid helped Rovers record their second successive away win at the JJB Stadium.
Mark Hughes' men made their short trip across Lancashire feeling fresher after their game against Sunderland on Wednesday night was postponed. A win for Rovers could see them back in the top half of the Premiership, whilst a win for Latics would put us within touching distance of Paul Jewell's pre-season forty point target.
Rovers welcomed back Lucas Neill and Paul Dickov from suspensions whilst Turkish midfielder started his own. Paul Jewell kept faith in the same starting line up that won at Upton Park in mid-week.
The Rovers fans made themselves heard in this Lancashire derby, and they almost saw Rovers take an early lead when Mike Pollitt had to tip over Ryan Nelsen's header from Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner in the seventh minute.
And the visitors should have made more in the 12th minute when Paul Dickov received a flicked on ball, and volleyed it straight at Pollitt from the edge of the box. But the shot lacked any pace which might have troubled Pollitt.
Rovers took the lead in the 15th minute when Paul Dickov crossed the ball from the left flank, it was headed on by Teale who desperately tried to clear the danger from the lurking Robbie Savage. The ball fell to Morten Gamst PEDERSEN who was ready and waiting at the far post and he lashed it into the top corner of the net from close range.
Wigan's protests that the goal might have been offside were cast away by referee Mark Clattenburg.
Jason Roberts had questions for the referee as he tried to latch onto a Chimbonda long ball in the 32nd minute but appeared to be held back by deputy Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen at the edge of the penalty box.
Wigan edged closer to the Rovers goal and in the 38th minute, Gary Teale did well to hold the ball up on the right flank before crossing the ball into the box. It was only half cleared by Ryan Nelsen, before the ball fell kindly to Lee McCulloch, but his half-volley lacked the strength and accuracy to threaten Friedel.
Latics went closer yet with four minutes before the interval. Henri Camara latched onto a long ball and went past Zurab Khizanishvili before drilling the ball past the wrong side of the near post.
Jimmy Bullard's corner was perfect for Arjan De Zeeuw to attack with his head at the far post, but the Dutchman saw Rovers defender Michael Gray head the ball off the line at the far post!
Latics went in at the break a goal down, and initially found Rovers difficult to break down, although the visitors didn't create much at the other end either once they went ahead.
Half-Time: Latics 0 - 1 Blackburn Rovers
Rovers dealt Latics a severe blow in the 53rd minute when they doubled their advantage. David Bentley's cross from the right flank was only half-cleared by Chimbonda. The ball fell to Steven REID who hit a thunderous first time volley from 25-yards which screamed into the top corner of the net. It was a stunning goal, but it sadly meant Latics were on the back foot.
Jewell's immediate reaction was to throw on Damien Francis and David Connolly in place of Graham Kavanagh and Gary Teale. But Mark Hughes also made a change, withdrawing Paul Dickov in favour of the more pacey Craig Bellamy.
A buoyant Rovers came forward again in the 58th minute. Michael Gray was allowed to run from the half-way line before unleashing a shot which rose above the bar from twenty yards.
Henri Camara nutmegged his marker before he was tackled when en route towards the penalty area. The ball deflected to McCulloch, and he stopped the ball dead before firing from 20 yards, but it harmlessly went over Friedel's crossbar.
Wigan should have at least halved the deficit when David Connolly received the ball in plenty of space at the edge of the box. He took one touch too many, and his low shot was saved from close range by Brad Friedel.
Moments later Lee McCulloch try his luck with a long range, but the ball was fired straight at Friedel.
Rovers made it 3-0 with five minutes left although there was fury around the JJB Stadium as there were claims the goal was offside. Craig Bellamy cut across infield from the left flank before De Zeeuw's challenge won the ball off him at the edge of the penalty area.
But a series of deflections thereafter saw the ball richochet to Bellamy who easily slotted the ball past Pollitt from eight yards.
Latics huffed and puffed their way through the second half, but found it difficult to find any holes in the Blackburn defence. Perhaps Blackburn's postponed fixture did give them a fitness advantage after all.
However, Jewell's men won't be able to rest for long as they travel to St. Andrew's on Monday and will hope to get another three points at Steve Bruce's struggling Birmingham City.
Full-Time: Latics 0 - 3 Blackburn Rovers
Latics Starting Line-Up: Pollitt, Chimbonda, Baines (Wright 67), De Zeeuw (c), Jackson, Kavanagh (Francis 56), Teale (Connolly 55), Bullard, McCulloch, Roberts, Camara.
Unused Substitutes: Filan, Henchoz.
Blackburn Rovers Starting Line-Up: Friedel, Neill, Gray, Nelsen (c), Khizanishvili, Reid, Bentley (Thompson 87), Savage, Pedersen (Emerton 84), Kuqi, Dickov (Bellamy 56).
Unused Substitutes: Enckelman, Mokoena.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne and Wear)
