Chelsea held on for their first Premier League win of the season, withstanding John Terry’s red card and with West Brom missing a penalty, as new signing Pedro scored on his debut to cap an outstanding first appearance for his new club.
Terry’s dismissal was tinged with controversy but Chelsea will feel they had dominated their opponents until then even though James Morrison – who went on to claim two goals – could have opened the scoring from the penalty spot.
The team-sheets told a story. Or two. Pedro was put straight into the Chelsea team after his £21.4million move from Barcelona and while Terry retained his place Gary Cahill – who has suffered from a broken nose – did not. In came Kurt Zouma.
For Albion there was no Saido Berahino, not in the match-day squad, not in the right frame of mind apparently with Tottenham Hotspur wanting to sign him.
Maybe Tony Pulis might have regretted that decision when Albion were, rightly, awarded a penalty. It came as the impressive Callum McManaman cut back inside the penalty area and was tripped by Nemanja Matic. There was some dispute between Morrison and Chris Brunt as to who should take. Morrison did but drove it too straight – Thibaut Courtois diverted it over the cross-bar.
It felt like a big moment and was. Soon after Chelsea surged ahead with Pedro claiming that debut goal with his first show. The forward exchanged passes with Eden Hazard and ran into the area. As he stumbled his low left-foot shot deflected off Jonas Olsson and ran into the corner of the net, beyond the outstretched fingers of Boaz Myhill.
Pedro puts Chelsea ahead at the Hawthorns
“Are you watching Manchester,” chanted the Chelsea fans and there was soon more celebration as John Terry did well to clear a corner for Cesar Azpilicueta to break, quickly finding Willian with a clever pass. He then found Pedro who fired in a low cross-shot that Diego Costa threw himself at to turn home for his first goal of the season.
“Chelsea are back,” was the chant this time although that was silenced – momentarily – as Albion claimed a goal of their own. Again the build-up was clever with James McClean sent in behind Azpilicueta. He crossed deep and Salomon Rondon, Albion’s record signing and a powerful presence in attack, volleye acrobatically into the path of Morrison who managed to steady himself and, this time, drove the ball beyond Courtois.
Morrison pulled one back for West Brom with a well-placed shot
If that was a lifeline it was quickly snatched back as soon after Willian should of restored Chelsea’s advantage – he side-footed wide after being teed up by Pedro – Azpilicueta did. It came as Cesc Fabregas played the ball into Costa who once more showed his strength to chest the ball down to Azpilicueta who had been allowed to run free by Craig Dawson. The full-back claimed his first Premier League goal by finding the corner of the net.
Azpilicueta scores his first Premier League goal
Just as Chelsea were overwhelming Albion Terry was dismissed. It came as Morrison played the ball through to Rondon who again showed what a handful he is. Terry was deemed to have pulled back the striker, just outside the area, and referee Mark Clattenburg showed the red card. It appeared a borderline decision but Rondon was threatening to break away and looked set to get the ball.
Terry was sent off for this foul on Rondon
Albion needed to capitalize quickly and did so with Morrison claiming his second goal as he smartly steered McManaman’s cross with a header, as he jumped with Matic, that looped beyond Courtois and into the top corner.
Morrison beat Courtois for the second time with a smart header
There was still half an hour to go and Pulis reacted by throwing on another striker, Rickie Lambert, to pile on the pressure.
But back came Chelsea with Pedro arcing in a dangerous cross which was met by Costa who could only power his first-time shot narrowly wide.
Albion went agonizingly close when McManaman created space, hesitating and the ball back, to curl in a shot just wide of the far post as Courtois dived across. Moments earlier and Rondon had miscued wide when afforded the chance to shoot. Radamel Falcao also miscued when the substitute was picked out by Pedro who then held his head in disbelief.
There were five minutes of added time but Albion could not take advantage of the extra man – with Courtois denying Rondon from close-range and Olsson heading onto the roof of the net – and Chelsea claimed the points.The Telegraph, UK
