Chelsea strengthened their position at the top of the league courtesy of first half goals from Diego Costa and Edin Hazard, comfortably winning two nil over 10 man West Bromwich Albion.
The Blues looked in control throughout Jose Mourinho’s 50th Premier league game in his second spell in charge, allowing them to attain a club unbeaten record 12 games. The prolific Diego Costa opened the scoring with a chest down and volley before soon after slack West Brom defending allowed Edin Hazard to fire home.
When Albion midfielder Claudio Yacob was sent off within half an hour for a two footed lunge on Costa, the game was effectively over as a contest.
Chelsea made an immediate impression, nearly going ahead early on when John Terry turned Hazard’s low cross goal-wards, though Ben Foster made a good save.
There was clearly a plan to mark Costa with two men constantly, but the Spaniard simply had too much technical ability to be stopped through such simplistic tactics, opening the scoring in the 11th minute.
Oscar put in a delicious ball from the left to find Costa, who control delightfully with his chest before firing in an 11th goal of the season, though there were doubts for offside. Â The two then combined again to force an excellent double save from Foster, after a sliced drive from Oscar and a rebound from the onrushing Cost.
Chelsea gained a valuable cushion of the second goal through a short and low corner from Cesc Fabregas to Hazard, whose defected finish got past the excellent Foster after this Belgian evaded Craig Gardner’s poor challenge.
Thereafter the sending-off of Yacob simply confirmed the result and the midfielder could have no complaints, committing a wild tackle on Costa.
The second half was a relatively plaintive affair as Chelsea cruised to victory, dominating ball possession and territory. However the Blues unsurprisingly lacked the urgency to convert this into further goals given their comfortable position.
This was reflected by the home side holding 74% of possession throughout, with eight of target to the AlbionÂ’s one, and 15 corners, whilst Albion could not force one.
Unsurprisingly given how superbly the Blues played, the atmosphere had significantly improved from previous displays that had seen Jose Mourinho criticising the fans.
Thus a comfortable home win sees the Blues march on, though tougher tests lie in wait.
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