Ramires scored his first goal in 11 domestic games to give Chelsea a half-time advantage over Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge.
The Brazilian had not netted since bagging a brace in the 8-0 hammering of Aston Villa but combined well with Fernando Torres to end his goalless run.
Torres directed a David Luiz pass into the path of Ramires, who went on to smash the ball past Ali Al Habsi and into the top corner.
Chelsea's lead could have been doubled had Torres managed to convert one of two headed chances.
He was superbly denied by a full-stretched Al Habsi save moments after a nodded effort finished inches wide of the post.
Former Chelsea player Franco Di Santo had Wigan's best chance of the half as he forced Petr Cech into a smart sixth-minute save with a 10-yard shot.
Shaun Maloney also tested the Chelsea stopper with a bending effort, but the Latics failed to create anything of note after the pair of early attempts.
