Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta celebrates after scoring against West Bram in the EPL matchup. (Getty)
Final
Chelsea 3-0 — 3
West Bromwich Albion 1-1 — 2
Chelsea got a much-needed victory, holding on to defeat West Brom in a rainy, wet match at The Hawthorns on Sunday. It was the second time this season that Chelsea has finished a game with 10 men.
A brilliant team performance both with 11 men and 10. Debutant Pedro was brilliant – he, Diego and Azpi got our goals before HT. #CFCLive
West Brom showed flashes of offensive attack, led by James Morrison’s two goals, but that missed penalty kick in the opening minutes of the match continued to haunt the squad, which could never quite seem to get over the hump. Chelsea, meanwhile, looked good from the get-go, as Pedro notched a goal in his first game on the team. He was named man of the match for his efforts.
Overall, both teams recorded fairly even stats, both notching 15 shots on goal while Chelsea recorded just a bit more possession with 56 percent of the control. Thibaut Courtois notched four saves for Chelsea, including that penalty save, while Boaz Myhill recorded two for West Brom.
Click here for a full box score of the match.
West Brom Had Chances in Extra Time
It was close. Then closer. But close only counts in horse shoes.
West Brom had plenty of chances, including a gem by Rondon, in the final five minutes of extra time but Chelsea, and its keeper, came up big late to hold onto the one-goal lead. After Rondon’s shot was corralled, Olsson’s header went over the net.
James Morrison Scored His Second Goal in the 59th Minute
Game on. Again.
Just minutes after Chelsea’s John Terry got sent off for a red card, West Bram responded as James Morrison notched his second goal of the match. Making amends for his missed penalty kick. Again. Also, check out that assist by Rondon. Morrison may get the goal but that play is what allowed it to happen in the first place.
Great game this. More entertaining that the whole of last season! #wba
Things are getting fun now as Chelsea plays with 10 men and West Bram is desperately looking for its first victory.
John Terry Was Whistled for a Red Card in the 54th Minute
John Terry is sent off for a foul as the last man. #CFCLive
There was speculation over whether Terry would play on Sunday. Now he might not be playing next week either.
The Chelsea captain was whistled for the foul early in the second half for a dive just outside of the box as he brought down West Brom’s Rondon. Rondon’s ensuing free kick sailed over the goal.
Gary Cahill came in to replace Willian at the same time.
César Azpilicueta Gave Chelsea Back Its Two-Goal Cushion
Goals. Goals. Goals.
There are goals in this game.
That’s the defender’s second Chelsea goal and his first in the @premierleague, great time to score it with the interval close. #CFCLive
César Azpilicueta wound his way through the West Brom defense and froze his opponents in the box to put Chelsea back up by two goals in the 42nd minute of play.
James Morrison Scored West Brom’s First Goal in the 35th Minute
Finally.
West Brom became the 20th, and final EPL team, to score a goal when James Morrison’s shot found the back of the net in the 35th minute of the first half. The shot made up, somewhat, for the missed penalty kick earlier in the game and took away some of the momentum that Chelsea had been building throughout the first half.
Diego Costa Added to Chelsea’s Lead in the 30th Minute
Costa made it a two-goal cushion in the first half on a quick break in the 30th minute of play. The West Brom defense, once again, seemed to collapse a bit in front of the net and Chelsea’s attack made sure to take advantage.
What a wonderful goal! Terry headed the corner away, we broke through Willian and Pedro, the latter’s shot turned in by Diego. 2-0! #CFCLive
In fact, Chelsea seemed to be finding its rhythm in large part because of the rain. Also, notice who notched the assist on that goal? Pedro. Pretty good start.
Pedro Scored His Debut Goal For Chelsea in the 20th Minute
It only took 20 minutes.
Pedro put his mark on the game, and on the scoreboard, in the 20th minute of play, finding a seam in the West Bram defense to take a shot from directly in front of the net. That took a bit of the wind out of West Bram’s collective sails after a solid start that seemed to be getting under Chelsea’s skin a bit early.
The general excitement from the Chelsea Twitter was still pretty strong:
It’s a debut goal for Pedro! He started the move, found Hazard, got it back, cut past Olsson and finished with his left! #CFCLive
Chelsea Goalie Thibaut Courtois Saved a West Bram PK in the 14th Minute
Chelsea, collectively, went from angry to frustrated to pleasantly surprised all in the span of a few minutes. After a penalty was called just inside the box, it looked like West Bram was going to, finally, be able to record a goal. But Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois made a diving save and knocked the ball away from the net with his legs, keeping the score nil-nil early in the match.
The Chelsea Twitter was, unsurprisingly, pretty psyched:
COURTOIS SAVES! #CFCLive
Game Preview
Diego Cost is hoping to jumpstart Chelsea with a victory in Sunday’s EPL matchup. (Getty)
This is an interesting one for Chelsea.
The team is off to its worst league start since 1998 and the worst for a defending champion since Manchester United in 2007. Of course, Man U went on to win the Premier League that season so records are all relative.
But the point of the matter, and the point of this match, is something has to change. That, naturally, is easier said than done. Chelsea has posted three losses and one draw at the Hawthorns since 2011 and two of those three losses preceded manager firings.
West Brom, meanwhile, isn’t faring much better with an 0-1-1 record so far in league play. Keep an eye out on Chris Brunt, who scored against Chelsea last season and he’s a terror on assists.
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