Set-piece saviour Seb Larsson hit a sensational deadball double and Chucho struck gold too as Blues came back from a 1-0 half-time deficit to stun the Latics on their own patch.

A trio of goals in just 11 second half minutes landed not just another three valuable Premier League points but also the club's first ever victory at Wigan.

Blues stood off their opponents too much at times during the first 45 minutes and were made to pay when Charles N'Zogbia steered the hosts into the lead on 33 minutes.

But the second half was a completely different matter as the visitors came out all guns blazing and set about attacking their opponents, opening them up on numerous occasions and, crucially, netting three times thanks to Larsson's free-kick prowess and Chucho's clinical finishing.

Substitute Jordi Gomez drilled a 20 yard free-kick past Hart with a minute remaining to give the home side hope but Blues held the late charge at bay and held on for a third league win on the bounce.

Alex McLeish chose the same eleven for a third game in a row, the side that beat both Fulham and Wolves 1-0 in the preceding weeks taking to the field of play at the DW Stadium.

Lancashire outfit Wigan featured plenty of Blues connections, not least in the form of skipper Mario Melchiot. Former players Olivier Kapo and Scott Sinclair took places on the bench.

Inside three minutes Wigan were presented with an opportunity when Mohamed Diame carved open the Blues defence with a neat pass with the outside of his boot to release Paul Scharner on the edge of the box. He went round Joe Hart but his scuffed low effort went wide, mainly thanks to good Stephen Carr pressure.

The hosts saw more of the ball in the opening quarter hour but, roared on by the travelling faithful, McLeish's men started to get more into proceedings.

On 15 Hugo Rodallega was booked following a clash with Roger Johnson, the Blues defender mightily unhappy with the coming together and he indicated that he felt the Wigan man had led with his arm. Johnson was restrained by team-mates to quell any further trouble.

Four minutes later Lee Bowyer's shot from the edge of the area ricocheted back to him off the legs off one of his team-mates, Scott Dann, and his second attempt, this time with his left foot, flew through the air and appeared to hit the arm of Hendry Thomas inside the box but the appeals came to nothing as referee Lee Probert waved play on.

On 22 Johnson's frustration boiled over and he was arguably fortunate to escape a yellow card for a late challenge on Rodallega that resulted in only a free-kick.

Diame fouled Larsson and before Blues had time to take the resulting set-piece home keeper Chris Kirkland limped off and was replaced by Mike Pollitt. And Pollitt was called into action straight away to dive to his right to keep out Chucho's shot from ten yards following James McFadden's cross.

Rodallega should have done better on 27 when he horribly miscued N'Zogbia's pull back and the ball soared well over the bar in an effort that would have been more fitting had it been for Wigan's world famous rugby league side.

At the other end Chucho dragged a close-range effort into the side netting as Blues pressed in what was, in opening half hour, a close-fought affair.

On 33 the home side took the lead in spectacular fashion. Jason Scotland held the ball up on the Blues goal-line under pressure from Johnson and laid the ball back to N'Zogbia, who curled a strike nonchalantly out of the reach of Hart and into the top corner.

With Scharner pulling the strings Wigan, buoyed by the goal, were growing in confidence and the visiting back-line was being tested by a fluid Roberto Martinez system.

With 39 played Melchiot was fouled ten yards outside the Blues area and Rodallega stepped up to take the free-kick from a not too dissimilar position from where he had scored. His effort curled through the wall and was clung onto well by Hart.

Diame flashed a left-footer six yards wide from a fair distance out as Wigan came forward again and then Hart was forced down low to his right to clutch onto a Scharner drive.

Wigan finished the half strongly and when Hart scampered to his right to turn a Rodallega shot past the post on 45 McLeish must have been glad the half-time interval and a chance to re-group in the dressing room was just injury time away.

Half time: Wigan 1 Blues 0

Blues started the second half brightly and showed their intent with an immediate attack resulting in a Jerome overhead kick straight into Pollitt's arms.

On 49 it looked for all the world like the visitors had equalised. McFadden flighted over a magnificent cross from the right that was perfect for Jerome at the near post and his bullet header was somehow palmed behind by Pollitt.

From the resulting corner the ball fell for McFadden once again and his rasping drive thumped into the chest of Scharner.

At the opposite end Scotland rifled a 20-yarder over the bar and then the Blues' medical team were called into action, entering the field of play to attend to Ferguson who had been involved in an accidental clash of heads with Rodallega.

On 57 Hart tipped an N'Zogbia shot around his left-hand post after the Wigan man cut into the box and then Larsson looked to have released Chucho with a great ball at the other end but the Ecuadorian's first touch let him down and he was tackled.

With just over an hour played Bowyer was clipped and Blues were awarded a free-kick, some 40 yards out on the left-hand side, that was to lead to the equaliser. Larsson took responsibility and curled in a vicious right-footed set-piece. Dann rose and put Scharner under pressure and the ball flew past everyone and into the bottom right corner to the delight of the visiting fans behind the goal.

On 65 Jerome looked a cert to equalise but Bramble got back in the nick of time to deflect the ball behind for a corner. By now we were witnessing a completely different Blues team, full of confidence and attacking football.

And 60 seconds later the visitors were in front. Man-of-the-moment Lee Bowyer lifted a lovely 30 yard pass over the Wigan defence and into the path of Chucho, who got in behind Bramble took a touch and shot low into the back of the net with the aid of a slight deflection off Pollitt.

With 19 minutes left Jerome was clawed back on the edge of the box and Blues were presented with another good set-piece opportunity. In fact it turned out to be more than good as Larsson strode forward and spun an unstoppable curler past the outstretched arms of Pollitt from 20 yards out.

Thomas was booked for a foul on Chucho as McLeish's side surged forward once again. Despite the biting cold North West air the Blues fans were enjoying a mini party behind the goal.

On 81 Keith Fahey replaced Jerome, who left the field of play to a rapturous round of applause from the visiting supporters.

Wigan rallied late on and sub Gomez curled home a set-piece from just outside the box but some resolute Blues defending in injury time made sure of the points.

Full time: Wigan 2 Blues 3

Wigan: Chris Kirkland (Mike Pollitt 24), Hendry Thomas, Paul Scharner, Jason Scotland, Charles N'Zogbia, Emmerson Boyce (Jordi Gomez 77), Titus Bramble, Hugo Rodallega, Mario Melchiot (C), Mohamed Diame (Scott Sinclair 70), Maynor Figueroa. Unused subs: Antonio Amaya, Jason Koumas, Olivier Kapo, James McCarthy.

Blues: Joe Hart, Stephen Carr (C), Lee Bowyer, Liam Ridgewell, Sebastian Larsson, Cameron Jerome (Keith Fahey 81), Chucho, Barry Ferguson, Roger Johnson, Scott Dann, James McFadden. Unused subs: Maik Taylor, Gary McSheffrey, Franck Queudrue, James O'Shea, Lee Carsley, Gregory Vignal.

Referee: Lee Probert

Goals: N'Zogbia (33), Larsson (61,72), Chucho (66), Gomez (89)

Bookings: Rodallega (15), Thomas (75)

Attendance: 18,797