WBA 3-2

Independent:

Pedro enjoys dream debut as John Terry's dismal season continues with red card
 

West Brom 2 Chelsea 3




Sam Wallace  

His has been a career that has survived injury, scandal, Rafa Benitez and the limitless funds Chelsea have had to replace him over the last 12 years, so it would be unwise to write off John Terry as a footballer whose career should be talked about in the past tense anytime soon. He has proved to be the most durable of modern players but no-one could deny it has been a rough eight days.

Substituted at half-time against Manchester City last week, sent off against West Bromwich Albion today, he might be forgiven for thinking that someone is trying to tell him something. In the past he has ignored the voices that have told him he is too old or too slow to play this crazy game any longer and as the seasons have ticked on, he has been vindicated every time.

Even so, the ego will be hurting after this game, one in which he was sent off for bringing down Salomon Rondon, West Brom’s £12m man, as they ran towards goal together just before the hour. Tony Pulis said it was “harsh”. Jose Mourinho insisted that to discuss it would involve a whole wider thesis on the game itself and he was just not going to go there. For Terry it will mean more time out of the team, a possible appeal notwithstanding.

That was the human drama on a marvellous afternoon of five goals, a missed penalty, an absentee striker and a sparkling debut from Chelsea’s new £21.1m signing Pedro Rodriguez. The absentee was Saido Berahino who would now seem to be on his way out of West Brom this coming week although all Pulis would do was rage against a transfer window that does not close when the season begins.

It was a lot of entertainment from start to finish, with Chelsea hanging on for more than half an hour with ten men and Mourinho finishing the game by shouting into the microphone in his technical area. A strange way to end a frenetic afternoon in which everyone seemed to be feeling the stress as Chelsea fought their way to their first win of the season.

For Pulis, who was without Berahino in his matchday squad, it was a difficult result to take given how well his side played at times. He could blame James Morrison for a first half penalty that Thibaut Courtois saved but not too much because the Scot scored his team’s two goals. Calum McManaman continued Branislav Ivanovic’s difficult start to the season and Rondon was excellent as the sharp end of the home team’s attack.

Yet Chelsea are made of tough stuff and you could imagine that they were unwilling to have to face their manager at the end of the game without the three points. Mourinho projected the usual wronged-man schtick at the end of the game over his side’s second red card of the new season, but he could not conceal his relief that his players, even without Terry, had closed out the victory.

Pedro was as good as Manchester United must have feared he would be with a goal and an assist in the first half, and so much faith from Mourinho that he did not even substitute the winger in the post-red card reorganisation. Diego Costa scored his first of the season, and looked much more effective while not neglecting his quest to fight the world. Cesar Azpilicueta scored his first Premier League goal for the club.

Even so, the cracks are there in Chelsea and never more so than when they conceded a penalty on 13 minutes. There was a slight, indignant shake of the head from Mourinho on the touchline, but Mark Clattenburg had been right about this one and Nemanja Matic, who had thrust out a tired leg, did not bother with a protest.

McManaman was excellent, making the second goal as well and he might have been a better bet to take the penalty given his strong start. Morrison chose to strike it down the centre of the goal. Although Thibaut Courtois had already committed to his left, a leg thrust in the direction he had come from flicked the ball over the bar.

Chelsea had been on the rack for the first 20 minutes and then Pedro changed the game. He had demanded the ball at every opportunity throughout the first half and his goal came after an exchange of passes with Eden Hazard before he hit a shot that clipped off Jonas Olsson and went in.

If the Black Country summer rain and the close proximity of opposition players he may never have heard of before this afternoon were disquieting for Pedro, he did not show it.  On 30 minutes it was his low ball across the face of the goal that Costa slid in to force over the line. It had begun with a fine ball from Ivanovic up to Willian. “Chelsea are back” sung the away fans, and in part it did look that way.

Except in defence, and in defensive midfield, where they continued to look like they were one misstep away from calamity. Kurt Zouma fell over in possession. Cesc Fabregas passed the ball carelessly. Rondon managed to hook back James McClean’s cross on 35 minutes for Morrison to finish sharply.

Again, West Brom had demonstrated that there were weaknesses in this Chelsea team but they could not press home their point. Azpilicueta scored the third when the ball bounced loose from what looked like a foul by Craig Dawson on Costa on 42 minutes.

Terry was sent off nine minutes into the second half for the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity, in this case a sharp pull down on the arm of Rondon as they chased the ball back towards the Chelsea goal. It was a close call but it looked like Rondon was just about to get to the ball before Courtois. Cue the usual indignation from Chelsea, and another extraordinary twist in the tale.

Five minutes later a back header from Morrison, made by McManaman who crossed from the left, gave West Brom their second goal of the game and Chelsea were under pressure.

This was all good stuff, and really it was in the next ten minutes that the two best chances came for West Brom to equalise through Rondon and then McManaman. At the other end Radamel Falcao replaced Costa and missed a good chance presented by Pedro’s ball in. Chelsea had come up with an answer to their current problems, but the solution still feels temporary at best.

West Bromwich Albion (4-1-4-1): Myhill; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Brunt; Yacob; McManaman, Fletcher, Morrison (Gardner, 88), McClean (Lambert, 60); Rondon.

Substitutes not used: Rose (gk), Chester, Lescott, Anichebe, Gnabry.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Pedro (Mikel, 84), Willian (Cahill, 56), Hazard; Costa (Falcao, 77).

Substitutes not used: Begovic (gk), Traore, Remy, Loftus-Cheek.

Booked: West Brom McClean, Olsson, McManaman Chelsea Matic

Sent off: Terry

Referee: M Clattenburg    



==========================


Guardian:

John Terry sees red but Chelsea get title defence up and running with win over West Brom

West Brom 2 - 3 Chelsea


Stuart James at The Hawthorns

The good news for Chelsea is that the defence of their title is up and running with a first victory of the season and that Pedro, on this evidence, will light up the Premier League with his presence. The bad news for José Mourinho to digest is that the champions continue to look like an accident waiting to happen at the back, with John Terry following his humiliating half-time substitution at Manchester City last Sunday with a straight red card here.

Quite what Mourinho screamed into the pitchside microphone at the final whistle is unclear – the Portuguese claimed that he was singing – but there is no escaping the fact that Chelsea made hard work of what could have been a routine win and that there is a vulnerability about them defensively that is hard to reconcile with the team that strangled the life out of opponents last season. Three games into the season and Chelsea have already conceded seven times and picked up two red cards.
 
The spotlight, inevitably, will shine on Terry. Mourinho chose his words carefully when asked about the dismissal of the Chelsea captain but it was plain to see that he was deeply frustrated with Mark Clattenburg’s decision. Tony Pulis, Albion’s manager, also felt that it was a little harsh.

Terry, however, was exposed by Chris Brunt’s long ball and he was tugging at Salomón Rondón with his left hand as he tried to make up ground on the powerful Albion striker, who was bearing down on goal. From the moment that Clattenburg decided it was a foul there was only going to be one outcome.

When James Morrison scored his second of the afternoon five minutes later to bring the score back to 3-2 it was tempting to wonder whether The Hawthorns, which has proved to be such a graveyard for Chelsea managers in recent years – Roberto di Matteo and André Villas-Boas both lost their jobs after defeats here – was about to witness another famous Albion result.

Callum McManaman, who was lively throughout, came within inches of equalising after sitting Branislav Ivanovic on his backside and curling narrowly wide of Thibaut Courtois’s far post, yet there were also plenty of chances for Chelsea to put an absorbing game to bed at the other end.

Pedro was often the architect on a day when he introduced himself to the Chelsea supporters with a sparkling performance that included a goal and an assist on his debut. He was, in short, a joy to watch and in the process highlighted what a shrewd piece of business it was on Chelsea’s part to sign the 28-year-old from Barcelona from under Manchester United’s nose.

Not everyone in a Chelsea shirt looked quite so comfortable on a miserable afternoon in the Black Country. Nemanja Matic was guilty of a clumsy challenge on McManaman that ended with Clattenburg pointing to the spot and Morrison striking a kick straight down the middle that Courtois saved with a trailing leg. Matic was later booked for a foul on McManaman and Morrison beat him to the ball to glance home Albion’s second.

Saido Berahino would normally have had the responsibility of taking the penalty that Morrison missed but Pulis felt that the striker, who scored from the spot against Chelsea in the corresponding game last season, was not in the right frame of mind to play because of Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of him.

Although Berahino was missed, Albion’s problems were at the other end of the pitch as Chelsea carved them open with alarming ease in the first half. The opening goal arrived following a lovely exchange between Eden Hazard and Pedro, who started from deep and continued his run before sweeping a left-footed shot into the corner via a slight deflection off Jonas Olsson.

Costa, with his first goal of the season, got Chelsea’s second after sliding in Pedro’s diagonal shot to finish off a wonderful counterattacking move that owed much to César Azpilicueta’s superb cross-field pass to Willian. “Chelsea are back‚” was the chant from the travelling supporters.

Morrison, atoning for his earlier miss, drilled home Rondón’s acrobatic cutback to pull a goal back for Albion but within seven minutes Chelsea had a third. Costa, holding off a challenge from Gareth McAuley with his back to goal, expertly steered the ball into the path of Azpilicueta, who lost his marker McManaman and beat Myhill at the near post to register his first Premier League goal. Chelsea appeared to be coasting at that point but the drama was still to come.

Man of the match Pedro (Chelsea)


===============


Telegraph:


Chelsea hold on for first win of season as Pedro shines but John Terry sees red at West Brom

West Brom 2 Chelsea 3

Pedro impresses on his debut but his new captain is sent off as Chelsea win at The Hawthorns

Jason Burt

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.


=================


Mail:


West Brom 2-3 Chelsea: Pedro scores and assists on dazzling debut as Jose Mourinho gets win despite John Terry's red card

By Martin Samuel

You see, the thing with Barcelona players is, can they handle it on a wet weekend at West Brom? The answer, apparently, is yes.

Pedro, £21million from Barcelona just four days ago, was the difference here. The difference between victory and, most likely, defeat. The difference between space to breathe and another week of recrimination and inquest. There will be enough of that already, as a result of John Terry’s sending-off, and another unconvincing defensive display from a team who as good as put a padlock on the Premier League trophy in the final months of last season.

Yet if Chelsea have now turned a corner with their first win of the season, Pedro was the catalyst for it. There are some new signings who require time to adjust, others who hit the ground running. It is fair to say Pedro falls into the second category.
Within 30 minutes here, he had scored his first Premier League goal and claimed his first Premier League assist. Chelsea’s delirium at having such a talent on the books was matched only by their delight in Manchester United being shown to have missed out so soon.

‘Are you watching?’ they asked Louis van Gaal and the Old Trafford recruitment team. If they were, it would have been through their fingers. Having drawn a blank against Newcastle on Saturday, the last thing they would have wanted is such a prompt reminder of the quality they claim to have turned down.

If Van Gaal’s version of events is genuine, and Chelsea only got the player after United lost interest, one has to wonder why. Pedro is exactly the type of player United need. Hell, he is the type of player any team needs – particularly one stumbling into the season like Chelsea.

Pedro, West Bromwich Albion – this was a perfect storm for champions looking for their first win of the season, so it was perhaps appropriate that rain teemed down throughout. Not that the quirks of an English summer bothered Pedro. He skated across the slippery surface, lightning quick for the first goal, crucial to a quite stunning counter-attacking move for the second. At times, this was Chelsea as remembered from last season. Hard to contain and Cobra-like in their attacking swiftness.

At others, they looked mystifyingly vulnerable. Terry saw red, while West Brom scored twice and missed a penalty. Chelsea saw the game out with ten men, and credit for that, but there was never a time when they looked truly comfortable – and this was a team that has previously looked better equipped for a 1-0 win than just about any in Europe.

No wonder Pedro felt at home, though. There were three different Chelsea scorers in the first-half, and all were Spanish internationals. Pedro, Diego Costa and Cesar Azpilicueta made sure Chelsea got their win, although Jose Mourinho will equally know his players got lucky at times. At the end of the game, he appeared to shout something into the touchline microphone, whether defiance, elation or that well-honed sense of justice only the Sky sound engineers know.

Still, in many ways, it was a fitting introduction to the strangely unhinged world of English football for Pedro. The lousy weather, the ferocious pace, the rash tackling and the openness of the play were a perfect miniature of what to expect in the coming months. He also now knows he will get chances with his new club – but he’ll have to run doubly hard to take them.

That was not a problem in the 20th minute, though, when after an unexceptional beginning to his Chelsea career, Pedro sparked to life.

He exchanged passes with Cesc Fabregas and most tellingly with Eden Hazard, collecting the ‘two’ of a one-two and sprinting into the West Brom box, his low finish settling in the corner after a mild deflection off Jonas Olsson. Pedro even lost a boot in the celebrations. Fortunately, he was properly attired to participate in Chelsea’s sublime second.

It was a goal that comprised all the elements of Chelsea at their best: strong defending, passing with vision, extreme speed on the break and an eye for a smart finish. It started with a West Brom corner and seconds later was in Boaz Myhill’s net.

Terry’s header, from deep in his penalty box, was powerful and well-placed out of danger, finding Azpilicueta and sending him on his way.

The full-back looked up and picked out Willian with a quite superb crossfield pass and he in turn spotted Pedro on the right. Half-cross, half-shot, Pedro whipped the ball across the Albion goal, but Costa was leaving nothing to chance. He slid in, stuck out a boot and diverted it into the net.

The third, and it was to prove vital, was another Spanish production. Fabregas’s chip into Costa looked mundane enough but he outmuscled Gareth McAuley and chested the ball down to Azpilicueta.

He is not a prolific defensive scorer like his counterpart on the right, Branislav Ivanovic, but he struck this one well enough – low and hard, slapping down an Albion team on the point of coming back into the game.

On two occasions West Brom seemed to be out of this. After 30 minutes, with Chelsea 2-0 up, and at half-time, trailing 3-1. Yet while, going forward, Chelsea rekindled thoughts of last season, something is very wrong at the back. West Brom should have been done, but weren’t. Indeed, they should have been ahead. There were 13 minutes gone when Nemaja Matic needlessly lunged in on Callum McManaman, bringing him down in the area and giving Mark Clattenburg no dilemma about pointing to the spot.

Morrison, however, chose hard, low and straight – but Thibaut Courtois ensured his legs protected the centre of the goal and the ball flew up and over the bar. Would West Brom get as good a chance again?

The answer? They would. And not just West Brom, but Morrison, too. In the 35th minute, Chelsea two up, James McClean slightly overhit a deep cross which new signing Salomon Rondon did magnificently to keep in with an acrobatic overhead volley. Whether by luck or exquisite judgement, the ball fell to Morrison who, in yards of space, struck it smartly past Courtois from the edge of the area. If only he had done that with the penalty.

Events nine minutes into the second-half then made sure the John Stones transfer saga won’t be going away any time soon, either.

Terry, already carrying the can for the heavy defeat at Manchester City last week, was exposed again. Hooked at half-time last Sunday as Sergio Aguero ran riot, he will feel equally concerned by this development, Rondon’s pace leaving him floundering and yielding a frantic tug at his shirt and arm as the striker closed in on the penalty area.

What he lacked in pace, however, Terry made up for in villainous timing, picking the moment just before Rondon crossed the crucial white line to make the foul. Mourinho moaned, cryptically, but it was the right call.

Had Terry not slowed his progress Rondon may have got to the ball, safely gathered by Courtois. Clattenburg showed a straight red, having first inadvertently brandished a yellow adding to the confusion, and Terry began a slow walk off. Whether delaying out of gamesmanship, or simple misery, it was hard to say. Who knows what Chelsea’s back line will look like when he returns? If he returns, as first-choice.

Less than five minutes later, West Brom got what they deserved: a second goal. McManaman’s cross was flicked on by Morrison, getting in ahead of Matic, and defeating Courtois a second time. Chelsea held on, and on occasions came close, but here were three gutsy points, rather than entirely convincing ones. Pedro has got into the swing of the Premier League early – now he needs his team-mates to do the same.

West Bromwich Albion (4-1-4-1): Myhill 6; McAuley 5, Dawson 6, Olsson 5, Brunt 6; Yacob 6; Fletcher 7, McManaman 7 (Gnabry 77), McClean 6 (Lambert 61, 5), Morrison 7 (Gardner 88); Rondon 6.5

Subs not used: Chester, Lescott, Anichebe, Rose

Booked: McClean, McManaman

Goals: Morrison (35, 59)

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois 7.5; Ivanovic 5, Terry 6, Zouma 6, Azpilicueta 6.5; Fabregas 6.5, Matic 5; Willian 6.5 (Cahill 56, 6), Hazard 7, Pedro 8 (Mikel 84); Costa 7.5 (Falcao 77)

Subs not used: Begovic, Traore, Remy, Loftus-Cheek

Booked: Matic

Sent off: Terry (54)

Goals: Pedro (20), Costa (30), Azpilicueta (42)

MOTM: Pedro

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)

Ratings by Laurie Whitwell at The Hawthorns
.


======================


Express:


West Brom 2 - Chelsea 3: Mourinho breaks Pulis duck as Terry is sent off and Pedro scores

IT has been the week from hell for John Terry.

By Tony Banks


But his team showed all the fighting spirit their captain epitomises as they ground out their first win of the season.

For 36 minutes Chelsea fought out this game at the Hawthorns with 10 men after Terry was sent off - and produced a sleeves-rolled-up, gutsy display of sheer doggedness that was the sign of a team that had a point to make.

New boy Pedro was the star of the show as he scored once and set up Diego Costa for his first goal of the season, Cesar Azpilicueta adding the other.

But it is Terry everyone will be talking about again this morning.

Substituted at half time in the 3-0 drubbing at Manchester City a week earlier, yesterday he found himself dismissed as his lack of pace was once again cruelly exposed.

Chris Brunt's through ball in the 54th minute found out a static Chelsea back line and Terry, 34, was left having to vainly chase £12 million Albion's club record signing Salomon Rondon.

There was a desperate tug, and then a tumble - a furious argument with referee Mark Clattenburg as the red card was waved. But he was gone, with his team 3-1 ahead.

Once again there will be questions asked about the Chelsea captain. It was said after the City game that his whole club career could now be in danger. It was, though, significant that it was Gary Cahill that was left out yesterday, and not Terry.

Terry is in the team and probably will be again as soon as he has served his one match suspension - though Chelsea may well appeal.

But those doubts will only be strengthened as the pursuit of Everton's John Stones continues.

It was the third time in their last five games that Chelsea have been hit by by a sending off.

Afterwards manager Jose Mourinho wryly said that playing with 10 men is something his team regularly practice now. Five minutes after the dismissal, James Morrison flicked in his second goal of the game from Christian McLean's cross, and suddenly the pressure was on. But, as Cahill and then John Obi Mikel stiffened the team, Chelsea ground it out.

At the final whistle, Mourinho roared out his delight into the pitchside microphone. At last this season, he has something to shout about.

Earlier on in this gripping game, The Unhappy One as he has now styled himself, had plenty to smile about - thanks to a sparkling debut from his £21.4m new boy Pedro, who looks a class acquisition.

That was, though, after a dodgy start.

Nemanja Matic's clumsy tackle on Callum McManaman gave Albion a clear penalty. But salvation was at hand. Morrison rammed the spot kick down the centre, but Thibaut Courtois brilliantly turned the ball over the bar with his legs.

Then Pedro took a hand. Picking up the ball deep, the Spaniard neatly exchanged passes with Eden Hazard, jinked past a challenge and saw his low shot take a deflection off Gareth McAuley to fly in.

Nine minutes later Chelsea cleared a corner and Cesar Azpilicueta released Willian, who found Pedro. The former Barca winger's low cross was converted neatly by Costa.

But there is a vulnerability about this Chelsea side that was not there last season.

The excellent McClean scooted past a static Branislav Ivanovic, Rondon hooked the ball back, and Morrison partly made up for his penalty blunder by rifling home.


It is almost as if Chelsea may have to say to their opponents this season 'you score two and we will score three', so flaky is this back line.

Four minutes before half time, Cesc Fabregas' chip was chested down by Costa, and Azpilicueta arrived to drill in his shot.

That really should have been that - until Terry's aberration opened the game up again. In fact, after going down to 10 men, Chelsea actually had the better chances, as Costa and Radamel Falcao missed, both from Pedro passes. Albion pressed hard, but Callum McManaman and Chris Brunt both missed, and time simply ran out.

WBA (4-2-3-1): Myhill 6; Dawson 7, Olsson 7, McAuley 6, Brunt 7: Yacob 7, Fletcher 6; McManaman 7 (Gnabry 6), Morrison 7 (Gardner 6), McClean 7 (Lambert 6); Rondon 7. Booked: McClean, McManaman. Goals: Morrison 35, 59. Next up: Port Vale (h), Tomorrow COC.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois 7; Ivanovic 6, Zouma 7, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 7; Fabregas 6, Matic 7; Pedro 8 (Mikel 6), Willian 6 (Cahill 56 6), Hazard 7; Costa 7 (Falcao 6). Booked: Matic. Sent off: Terry. Goals: Pedro 19, Costa 29, Azpilicueta 41. Next


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Star:


West Brom 2 Chelsea 3: Pedro dazzles but John Terry sees red against the Baggies

JOHN TERRY'S bizarre season took a new twist as Pedro announced his arrival in the title race.
 
By Dave Armitage


Skipper Terry's week from hell came to a head in the 54th minute when he was red-carded for a foul.

He didn't see out the 3-0 humbling by Manchester City last week - being subbed at half-time for the first time ever under Jose Mourinho.

He didn't miss a single Premier League minute for Chelsea last season as they romped to the title.

This time it was referee Mark Clattenburg who called a halt to proceedings after Terry sent Salomon Rondon tumbling.

But 10-man Chelsea held on for victory and it was in no small part down to Spanish ace Pedro, making his debut after his £21m switch from Barcelona.

Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal must have been choking over his Sunday lunch as he watched the man he missed out on stamp his mark on the game.

Pedro scored the opener and then set up the second as Chelsea finally got back to winning ways.

The Spaniard provided the spark and looks a good little bit of business as Jose Mourinho sets about getting his champs back on track.

He set the ball rolling for Mourinho's men with a 20th minute goal to give them the lead.

But that only came after West Brom had squandered a fantastic opportunity in the 13th minute

Referee Clattenburg had little hesitation pointing to the spot to award the home side a penalty after Nemanja Matic had sent Callum McManaman sprawling with a clumsy challenge.

McManaman had jinked past him but was moving back out of the area when Matic tangled with him.

Clattenburg deliberately took a couple of seconds to confirm what he'd seen and quickly came to the conclusion that there was only one course of action

James Morrison stepped up and decided that a low drilled kick straight down the middle was the best option.

It wasn't. Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois dived to his left but still managed to get a leg in the way to send the ball ballooning up over the bar off his right knee.

You just can't the likes of Chelsea unnecessary reprieves and within minutes the home side paid a heavy price.

Pedro played a neat one-two with Eden Hazard before the ex-Barca man squeezed his shot home with more than a little assistance from a deflection off Jonas Olsson.

You could sense what a kick in the guts it was to Tony Pulis' side - and there was worse to come.

Pedro was at the centre of things again as he pounced on Willian's great run and shot across the face of goal where Diego Costa slid in to bundle the ball home.

"Chelsea are back" came the chant from the away end but that proved a bit premature when Morrison partly made amends for his penalty miss.

He drilled a low shot down the middle from 14 yards and this time no one could intervene.

Chelsea restored the two-goal cushion minutes before the interval when Cesar Azpilicueta steamed in at the far post to grab his first Premier League goal.

But there were more twists to come starting with Terry's 54th minute dismissal for hauling Rondon to the ground as the £12m striker surged through.

Clattenburg dished out Chelsea's third red in five games - to Terry's disbelief and frustration - and Mourinho was forced into a re-shuffle.

Willian was sacrificed as he brought on Gary Cahill but within minutes his worst fears were realised as Albion got another back.

It was Morrison again - this time with his head - as he flicked on McManaman's ball into the box and watched it loop into the far corner.

And West Brom could have snatched a point but Rondon was inches wide with a shot and then saw Courtois pull off a brave point-blank stop.