LONDON, June 23: Chelsea kick off the defence of their Premier League title at promoted Wigan Athletic on the opening day of the 2005-06 season — the first ever league game between the two sides.

Chelsea lost just once in the league last season, when they also won the League Cup, and play 2004 champions Arsenal in their second game, a home match at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United, who finished third last season, play at Everton, who were fourth, on the opening weekend of Aug 13-14.

Arsenal, second last term 12 points behind Chelsea, begin the final season at their Highbury stadium by welcoming Newcastle United on the opening day.

European champions Liverpool travel to Middlesbrough.

Wigan, elected to the four-division league in 1978, finished second in the second division behind Sunderland last season and will be making their debut in English soccer’s top flight.

Chelsea play at Manchester United on November 5 — known, appropriately, as Fireworks Night in Britain — and travel to Highbury on Dec 17.

The champions’ final two games of the season are against Manchester United at home and Newcastle United away, before the FA Cup final on May 13.

Until Chelsea’s triumph last season, Arsenal or Manchester United had won the league title every season since 1994-95.

Matches between the two clubs have played a pivotal role in the title race in recent seasons and they are due to meet at Highbury on Jan 2 and Old Trafford on April 8.—Reuters