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FT REPORT: West Brom 2-3 Chelsea

Chief Reporter Alex Grace Reports

The Premier League's early kick-off saw Chelsea travel to West Brom were they had not won in any of their last four visits, losing three. It is also the same venue were that the last two Chelsea manager's reigns have ended.

Both sides were searching for their first wins of the season three games in. Tony Pulis had won the previous two matches matches between the two managers and held an upper hand overall.

Chelsea started new singing Pedro who singed for the club on Thursday and he got on the scoresheet. Diego Costa doubled Chelsea's lead after West Brom's James Morrison had his penalty saved. He made amends by halving the deficit before Cesar Azpilicueta scored his maiden Premier League goal to restore the two goal lead before half time.

The second half started with a bang as Chelsea captain  John Terry who played every minute of every Premier League game last season saw a straight card for a foul on West Brom's Rondon. West Brom managed to pull one back but couldn't find a third goal.

West Brom started the better side and created a few openings in the early stages of the the first half. There persistence was awarded in the 13th minute when Chelsea midfielder Matic fouled Callum McMaman.

James Morrison stood up to take the penalty but saw it saved by Thibaut Courtois.

After that Chelsea took control. Pedro on his first start for Chelsea after moving from Barcelona just days ago wriggled past two Albion players before shooting and getting a lucky deflection of Jonas Olsson to deceive keeper Boaz Myhil.

That goal knocked West Brom for six and Chelsea capitalised from a West Brom corner. The clearance was made and the ball found its way to Pedro who's shot was turned in by Diego Costa for his first goal of the season.

West Brom settled down and started creating chances and one went in as Chris Brunt and James McClean worked well before the ball found its way to James Morrison who struck the ball past the Chelsea keeper.

However, Albion were unable to get to the break with just a one goal defect as they let their guard down once more and left back Cesar Azpilicueta took everyone by surprise and saw his shot creep past Myhill to give Chelsea a 3-1 half-time lead.

In the second half West Brom kept on creating chances and John Terry could not deal with Rondon's power and brought him down. Terry was shown a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity leaving Chelsea with 10 men with just over 30 minutes to play.

As a result the host's grew in confidence and created chances, McManaman crossed and Morrison headed home past the keeper to make it a nervy finish for the Champions.

The provider for that goal then missed by a whisker with a brilliant effort on 72 minutes. It was a nervy finish for the Champions and they had to rely on their keeper to keep out an effort from Rondon before the end.

Chelsea hung on to claim their first win of the season. Pedro was named Man of the match and rightfully so after scoring and creating a goal for Costa.

TEAMS

West Brom

Myhill

Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Brunt

McManman, Morrison, Fletcher, Yacob, McClean

Rondon

BOOKINS: Mcmanman

HEAD COACH: Tony Pulis

Chelsea 

Courtois

Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta

Matic, Fabregas

Pedro, Willian, Hazard

Costa

BOOKINS: Matic

SENT OFF: Terry

MANAGER: Jose Mourinho



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