Dindane then turned provider three minutes into first-half injury time - slipping the ball into the path of Piquionne who managed to stay onside despite the Wigan defence's dangerously high line.
Just after the half-hour mark, the contest sprung to life with a frantic passage of play, Lampard's first-time ball releasing Drogba, whose slight hesitation allowed Gael Givet to produce a brilliant saving tackle.
Dani was at the centre of the action and he finally found the net with his third header - this time glancing the ball home from Pep Guardiola's free-kick.