Independent:
Chelsea 1 West Bromwich Albion 0
Diego Costa's fine finish breaks down resilient Baggies
Antonio Conte's side picked up their ninth consecutive league win but they were made to work for the three points by the visitors
Jack Pitt-Brooke at Stamford Bridge
It will not be as easy as facing Manchester City every week, but this afternoon at Stamford Bridge Chelsea found a way to extend their Premier League winning run to a remarkable ninth game.
There were 14 minutes left here and Chelsea were just starting to look nervous, held to 0-0 by Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion, who had come to make life as difficult as possible for the league leaders. Then Diego Costa broke the game open with a brilliant solo goal.
That goal won the game, moving Chelsea back to the top of the Premier League, three points ahead of second placed Arsenal. This was certainly not the best that Chelsea have played recently, and might even be their most modest performance of their nine-game run. But teams that win titles need to be able to win games in different ways. Here they relied on a moment of individual brilliance from a player at the top of his game. It is not a bad option for Antonio Conte to have in his locker.
Costa now has 12 goals already this season, making him the top scorer in the Premier League. He is playing at least as well as he was when he arrived two years ago, under Jose Mourinho, and is unrecognisable from the man who spent the summer hoping to get a move back to Atletico Madrid.
His goal was pure Costa. He chased a hopeful forward ball from Cesc Fabregas down the right-hand side and when Gareth McAuley collected it, Costa decided to bully him off the ball. McAuley is not easily bullied and knows how to look after himself. But Costa brushed him aside as if he were a teenager getting to train with the first-team for the afternoon. Then, charging straight at goal, he bent the ball with his left foot away from Ben Foster and into the far top corner of the net. When Costa is at his best, as he is now, he mixes physical aggression with underrated technical class.
Up until that goal, this had felt like an unusually frustrating afternoon for Chelsea. Eight days ago they shredded City on the break, finding Pep Guardiola’s set-up to be perfectly vulnerable to fast counter-attacks. Pulis and Guardiola understand football differently, though, and West Brom made it substantially more difficult for Chelsea than City did.
Pulis played a 4-2-3-1 with his two wingers, Matt Phillips and Chris Brunt, defending as auxiliary full-backs. That stopped Chelsea’s wing-backs from overlapping and all of a sudden Conte’s side had some work to do. Chelsea created almost nothing in the first half despite dominating possession and the best chances, in fact, fell to West Brom on the break. Brunt whipped a 30-yard shot just wide of the far post and Salomon Rondon dragged a shot off target after beating David Luiz down the left.
Luiz was Chelsea’s major goal threat in the first half from free-kicks, which said a lot about Chelsea’s struggles in open play and also about the scrappy standard of the match. The second half was not very different, and again Chelsea nearly equalised from a Luiz free-kick, which hit Pedro on the foot and skimmed just wide.
Conte knew that he needed something different to change the game, and introduced first Willian and then Fabregas. He even ditched the 3-4-3 for a more conventional 4-2-3-1 to give Fabregas a platform to play his passes and try to unpick the stubborn West Brom defence. Eventually he did get the assist that turned the game, and kept Chelsea’s great run going. Although he did need Costa to do the hard work.
Next up, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Stoke City, and the chance for Chelsea to win their 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th consecutive Premier League matches. That would draw them level with Arsenal, who won 13 straight during the 2001-02 season, when they won the title. Who would now bet against Chelsea doing the same?
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Guardian:
Diego Costa strikes again as Chelsea go top with win over West Brom
Chelsea 1 - 0 West Brom
Dominic Fifield at Stamford Bridge
This was a slog, a result ground out against ruggedly obdurate opposition, but Chelsea may end up gaining more satisfaction from prevailing in those awkward circumstances than from some of the more comfortable strolls they have enjoyed over a nine-match winning streak. The leaders have reimposed their three-point advantage at the top of the division, and ended West Bromwich Albion’s own impressive burst of form in the process. There is something relentless about Antonio Conte’s team at present and, since early October, no one has found a way of checking their progress.
Tony Pulis and his industrious team came agonisingly close. It was only as this game entered its final 15 minutes, with the hosts on their third formation of the afternoon and anxiety mounting in the stands, that West Brom finally cracked. Cesc Fàbregas, flung on in desperation as a central playmaker in the rejigged lineup, lofted a hopeful pass down the right which Gareth McAuley would have expected to repel. He had spent most of the afternoon doing just that, shepherding the ball away to safety with allies forever close by but, on this occasion, he was ambushed by the rampaging Diego Costa.
The forward bustled in, stealing the ball and holding off the centre-half as he attempted to wrest it back, before ripping a glorious shot from a horribly tight angle into the far top corner as Ben Foster edged out to smother. The finish was emphatic, an afternoon’s frustration expunged with one swing of his left boot. “It was a good and maybe fortunate pass, but it was all about Diego for the goal,” said Fàbregas. “He made the pass special, fighting for that ball.” Costa, leaning on his team-mate to interpret, merely warned that there is more to come. That sounded ominous for defenders up and down the division.
Chelsea are growing used to the forward saving the day. It was his bullying of Nicolás Otamendi at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday which drew the league leaders level, his flash of opportunism which had claimed the points at Middlesbrough, and his vicious, curling shot which had so deflated Southampton at St Mary’s. There have been 12 goals already this season; November’s Premier League player of the month, such a snarling presence last season, is now a source of inspiration. He had toiled alone for long periods here against the visitors’ imposing rearguard, with little hint of reward en route, but did not grow frustrated, and even offered only a smirk when team-mates became enraged at West Brom’s perceived timewasting.
The Spain international has not been booked since accruing his fourth caution for dissent in Chelsea’s last league loss, at Arsenal on 24 September. The cardless run, Costa’s best for six years, is as remarkable as his goal tally and at this rate it is feasible he might reach the amnesty on New Year’s Day without incurring a ban. “It’s incredible that, after the Arsenal defeat, Diego had four yellow cards and was on the edge, and he has continued to stay on the edge,” said Conte. “I think he can arrive in January without a yellow card. I hope [he does].
“Look at the image of Diego against Manchester City [when he played peacemaker in the brawl at the end]. I always tell my players to stay focused on the pitch, think about playing football, doing the movement we tried in training sessions. I don’t like provocation, I don’t like bad attitudes, and I’m trying to transfer this to my players. But I’m very lucky because I have players with great behaviour. Diego is enjoying this football. He’s showing his passion in the right way. You ask why it happened in the past, but I don’t know. Now I can only talk about his commitment, his work-rate during the games, and it’s fantastic. I want this from all my players. I try to get all my players to think like this.”
The image of Costa as a role model, or even as a calming influence, may seem incongruous, but he serves to reassure these days.
The bear hug Conte offered the Spain international at the final whistle summed up his significance. This had been such a grind, a test of patience as much as quality, against admirably resolute opponents who flung down a four-man barrier of centre-halves supplemented by workaholic wingers who plugged the full-back areas whenever they were denied the ball. All the areas of the pitch where Chelsea have flourished over the last two months were duly clogged up, with clear-cut opportunities scarce.
The visitors actually created more presentable half-chances, Salomón Rondón skimming a shot wide of the far post after holding off David Luiz, before retreating into their shells after the interval. “We have better players than we showed today because we needed to find a pass to get us further up the pitch,” said Pulis. “I’m disappointed for the players because they put in so much effort and commitment. To be beaten by that one mistake …”
He was actually defeated as much by a flash of brilliance from the Premier League’s striker of the moment. Thanks to Costa, Chelsea travel to Sunderland on Wednesday with their momentum maintained.
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Telegraph:
Chelsea 1 West Brom 0: Diego Costa scores fine solo effort to deny stubborn Pulis tactics
Matt Law
Diego Costa extended Chelsea’s winning sequence to nine games to send Chelsea back to the top of the Premier League table and, just as significantly, take his own clean run to 10 matches.
The in-form striker scored against West Bromwich Albion with 14 minutes remaining – registering his fifth goal in six games and his 12th in the Premier League this season. Costa also got through another 90 minutes without picking up a yellow card, meaning he has now gone 10 games in all competitions without being booked to avoid suspension.
This is the 28-year-old’s longest run without a yellow card since the 2010/11 season, having last been cautioned against Arsenal on Sept 24, an offence that left him one booking away from suspension.
Costa must now get through another four games and the remainder of 2016 without a yellow card to avoid a one-game ban.
“January is arriving, no? It’s incredible,” said Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte. “If you think that, after the Arsenal defeat, Diego had four yellow cards and was on the edge, he continued to stay on the edge. It’s incredible. I think he can arrive in January without a yellow card, I hope, but it’s important to continue.”
The way in which Costa bullied Gareth McAuley out of the way for his winning goal showed that the Spain international has lost none of his aggression, but he is channelling it in the right direction. There looked to be little danger when he ran on to a high ball from substitute Cesc Fàbregas down the right, but Costa overpowered McAuley to cut into the penalty area and shoot past goalkeeper Ben Foster.
He has now scored the same amount of Premier League goals as he managed in the whole of last season, but believes he is still not at his peak.
“I am in great form, but not the best,” said Costa. “The best way to attack is to defend well, They had a few chances in the beginning, but we are well organised and strong.”
Conte added: “I’m happy for him, I’m happy for the team, for Chelsea and the fans, because he’s showing great passion, Diego. He likes to play football and he’s showing great passion in every game, great commitment, good without or with the ball to help the team. It’s fantastic. It’s important to continue this way, but I’m very happy for him.
“All the players have to improve, not just Diego, Eden [Hazard], Willian or Pedro. All the players can improve a lot and only through work every day. For this reason, I’m very satisfied with the commitment from my players. Today wasn’t an easy game, but they showed me great application, great commitment and concentration. For sure this is the right way, but we must continue.”
It was Costa who had called to the Chelsea bench for Fàbregas to be sent on in the 74th minute and it proved to be crucial as the home side had struggled to create chances up to that point.
It took Chelsea 41 minutes to manage their first shot on target, when Foster saved a David Luiz free kick in a first half in which West Brom were the more threatening side.
Despite giving up possession and defending with at least six men behind the ball, as wingers Matt Phillips and Chris Brunt dropped deep, West Brom gave the hosts problems on the counter-attack.
Brunt fired a 19th-minute shot just wide and Salómon Rondón was inches away from giving West Brom the lead seven minutes later. The striker overpowered Luiz, who still looked to be suffering from the wild challenge by Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero a week earlier, and ran into the penalty area before sending a low effort just past the far post.
The closest Chelsea had gone to scoring before Costa’s winner was when N’Golo Kanté fired a shot into Pedro and the ball dribbled just wide of Foster’s post.
“We caused them some problems on the break in the first half,” said West Brom manager Tony Pulis. “The goal was disappointing because Gareth should have dealt with it, but I have no qualms about how they worked. To get beaten by that one mistake… it was a wonderful goal by Diego Costa, but even so.”
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Mail:
Chelsea 1-0 West Brom: Diego Costa's thunderbolt strike wins it for Antonio Conte's side as they finally break down dogged West Brom to return to the top of the Premier League table
By MATT BARLOW FOR THE DAILY MAIL
Chelsea might easily have settled for a point. They could have shrugged as though, on this day, it was not to be.
After all, this sequence of victories must end some time and West Bromwich Albion came in good form with confidence and an armour-plated defensive unit.
Yet Chelsea refused to accept anything less than a win. It is a good habit to be in if you have sights on the title. It sends an ominous message and nobody personified this combative, never-say-draw spirit quite like Diego Costa.
Antonio Conte contributed from the touchline when his team needed help. The coach’s substitutions made an impact and he tweaked his tactics, briefly abandoning his beloved back three in search of ways to pierce Albion.
Ultimately, however, it was Costa who made the difference, grabbing the only goal 14 minutes from time to secure a ninth successive win for the Premier League leaders.
Cesc Fabregas supplied the pass but this was not one of his defence-splitters. It was clipped fairly aimlessly into the corner and Gareth McAuley seemed set to tidy it up as he lumbered across from central defence.
Costa pursued McAuley, went shoulder to shoulder, and won the test of strength. Emerging with the ball, he strode towards goal on an angle and with his left boot lashed it past the right ear of Ben Foster. ‘He made the pass special,’ said Fabregas.
It was a 12th goal of the season for Costa and his 49th in 95 games for Chelsea.
Perhaps more remarkable for a player with his storm-tossed reputation is that he has gone 10 games in all competitions without collecting a booking, his longest run for nearly six years. Costa must reach the amnesty at the end of the month without another yellow card to avoid suspension.
‘January is arriving, no?’ said Conte as he crossed his fingers on both hands. ‘I hope.’
No-one personifies the mentality Conte has entrenched in his team better than Costa the warrior.
There was more than a trace of Didier Drogba about the way he led the line against West Brom. He carried the fight, took the knocks, and suffered from the frustration of very little service.
Then he summoned a moment of individual brilliance when required in the 76th minute.
‘Diego shows great passion,’ said Conte. ‘He’s showing great commitment, his work-rate, with or without the ball, to help the team is fantastic and it is important to continue in this way. He is a great striker but all players have to improve.’
Albion had been impressively resilient. Tony Pulis set them up well, as ever, solid in defence, with a tight back four and the widest of five midfielders patrolling up and down the Stamford Bridge pitch like wing backs. It was often a back six, protected by the defensive nous of Claudio Yacob.
For so long the visitors stifled Chelsea as effectively as any team have managed since Conte moved to his new system and triggered this succession of victories.
Eden Hazard and Pedro Rodriguez, so dangerous in recent weeks, found open space severely restricted in the channels where they have been causing so much damage.
When they ran short of ideas, they tried an aerial route, but Costa was crowded out by centre halves who were equally strong in the air.
Conte scrapped his 3-4-3 system midway through the second half. By this time, the visitors had been forced back and were hanging on.Earlier in the game, they flexed out of defence threateningly. Chris Brunt went close and Salomon Rondon gave David Luiz a torrid time in the first half.
Chelsea’s best effort in the first half was a speculative shot from N’Golo Kante which clipped Pedro and flashed by Foster’s goal with the goalkeeper wrong-footed.
Luiz wasted one free-kick, slicing high and wide, then tested Foster with a second. With a third, he forced another save.
The game loosened up as Albion tired in the final 20 minutes, and Fabregas and Willian came off the bench to good effect.
Eventually, Chelsea broke through.
‘The goal was disappointing,’ said Pulis. ‘Gareth should have dealt with it but I’ve no qualms. I’m disappointed for them because they put so much effort in and worked so hard. To get beaten by one mistake, it was a wonderful goal, but even so.’
West Brom’s wait for a first League win at Stamford Bridge since 1978 goes on and Chelsea head north, to Sunderland on Wednesday, in search of a perfect 10.
CHELSEA 3-4-3: Courtois 6; Azpilicueta 6, Luiz 5, Cahill 6.5; Moses 6 (Fabregas 74min 6.5), Kante 7, Matic 6.5, Alonso 6; Pedro 5 (Willian 63, 6), Costa 7.5, Hazard 6 (Ivanovic 79).
SUBS: Begovic, Chalobah, Aina, Batshuayi.
BOOKINGS: Kante, Matic.
MANAGER: Antonio Conte 8.
WEST BROMWICH 4-5-1: Foster 6.5; Dawson 6.5, McAuley 6.5, Evans 7, Nyom 6; Brunt 6.5 (Robson-Kanu 84), Fletcher 6.5, Yacob 6, Morrison 6.5 (Chadli 78), Phillips 6 (McClean 78); Rondon 6.
SUBS: Palmer, Olsson, Gardner, Galloway.
BOOKINGS: Brunt, McAuley, Dawson, Yacob,
MANAGER: Tony Pulis 7.
MOM: Diego Costa.
REFEREE: Mike Dean 6.
ATTENDANCE: 41,622.
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Mirror:
Chelsea 1-0 West Brom: Diego Costa proves the difference as Blues win ninth successive game - 5 things we learned
Antonio Conte's men weren't at their best at Stamford Bridge, but the Blues striker's unerring finish handed his side another three points
BY NEIL MCLEMAN
Diego Costa finally broke down West Brom's dogged defending to send Chelsea back to the top of the Premier League with their ninth straight win.
The Spanish striker scored his 12th goal of the season after 76 minutes when he robbed Gareth McAuley before smashing his shot into the top corner. Sub Cesc Fabregas, who had only been on the pitch for two minutes, provided the pass forward.
Until then Tony Pulis had been winning his tactical battle with former Italy boss Antonio Conte with the Baggies boss deploying his wide midfielders as extra full-backs in a six-man defence.
It wasn't pretty but it was highly effective as West Brom, who had only 28 per cent of first-half possession, frustrated the home side.
Conte changed back a a back four in the second half when he threw on Willian and then his fellow sub Fabregas played a ball over the top to set up Costa's winner.
Here are five things we learned...
1. Chelsea have a Plan B
With the threat from out wide nullified and the attacking three out-numbered, Chelsea lacked the nous from midfield to break down the West Brom defence.
Nemanja Matic and N'Golo Kante are not that type of player. Cesc Fabregas eventually made the difference when he was introduced after 74 minutes.
Antonio Conte could also have used Andrea Pirlo on the pitch – not the stands at Stamford Bridge
2. Watching Pulis on the touchline more entertaining than watching his team
The press box at Stamford Bridge is just behind the managers' technical areas.
The Welshman was a non-stop bundle of energy, continuing cajoling his own players and criticising the officials. On effort and organisation, the Baggies deserved a point.
3. Winning is a good habit
Chelsea have now racked up nine victories in a row – the most since 2007. And they have now kept eight clean sheets this season, just one less than in the whole of last season. It is a good combination.
Even today, when they were not at their best, Conte willed them on to win.
Away trips to Sunderland and Palace now come before Christmas.
4. West Brom can be best of the rest
Normal service has resumed at the top of the Premier League with the big six.
But the contest for seventh place – and possible Europa League qualification – is as open as ever.
On recent showings, including today, the Baggies are candidates along with Stoke, Watford, Everton and Southampton. They are physically imposing and now have a good bench.
5. David Luiz can be targeted
West Brom defended as a unit then pressed high up the pitch. Centre-forward Salomon Rondon gave the Brazilian a much harder afternoon than Sergio Aguero last weekend – without the retaliation.
The Venezuelan created West Brom's best chance when he robbed David Luiz in the first half before running through on goal.
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Sun:
COST PRICELESS Chelsea 1 West Brom 0
Sublime, late individual strike from Diego Costa breaks the hearts of brave Baggies at Stamford Bridge
Spanish striker netted his 12th goal of the season as Tony Pulis' men finished 15 minutes short of well-deserved point
BY NEIL ASHTON
IT took a moment of sheer genius from Diego Costa to finally break the hearts of the brave, battling West Brom at Stamford Bridge.
After 75 minutes of wonderful defending, Tony Pulis‘ Baggies finally made a mistake at the back with Costa out-muscling Gareth McAuley before bending the ball beyond the despairing Ben Foster with his left foot from an improbable angle.
Suddenly West Brom needed to go on the attack, however they had nothing left in the tank, with Antonio Conte shoring up his defensive ranks to see out the game.
It wasn't always pretty, but the Blues are back on top of the Premier League table.
FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS
CHELSEA are hoping that an FA commission gives them the benefit of the doubt in the hearing over last week’s bust-up with Manchester City. The Blues have been warned that they face a points deduction after being charged for the fifth time in 19 months. Chelsea claim they acted largely as peacemakers.
FRANK LAMPARD was at the Bridge with his missus Christine Beakley. The former Chelsea midfielder is becoming something of a regular up in the director’s box.
FOR all the love being sprayed around for David Luiz, he still has some big mistakes in him. One of them was the failure to hold off Salomon Rondon when he let the Baggies striker in on goal.
WEST BROM had the first effort on goal when Chris Brunt fired wide of the post. Seconds later he was booked for nailing Diego Costa.
POOR old Eden Hazard is becoming something of a target again. Three minutes after Gareth McAuley was booked for chopping him, the little fella was still limping.
LUIZ had Chelsea’s first big chance of the first half with a 41st minute free kick which Ben Foster down well to save. He had another chance on the hour from similar distance that Foster tipped around the post.
WAS only a matter of time before Antonio Conte sent for Willian. The Chelsea head coach brought the Brazilian on in place of Pedro after 62 minutes to add some punch to Chelsea’s attack.
WHEN that did not work he sent for Cesc Fabregas. The midfielder, right at the heart of last week’s bother with Manchester City, came on for Victor Moses.
THE rewards were quick, with Costa putting Chelsea in front after 76 minutes with a left footed curled effort that beat Foster. Tony Pulis will be furious with Gareth Mcauley for being outmuscled by the Chelsea forward.
CHELSEA: Courtois6, Azpilicueta 7, Luiz 6, Cahill 7, Alonso 6, Moses 6 (Fabregas 74, 6), Kante 7, Matic 7, Pedro 6 (Willian 63, 6), Hazard 7 (Ivanovic 79, 6), Costa 7.
Subs not used: Begovic, Chalobah, Aina, Batshuayi.
Goals: Costa (76).
Booked: Kante.
WEST BROM: Foster, Dawson 7, McAuley 5, Evans 6, Nyom 7, Fletcher 6, Yacob 6, Brunt 6 (Robson-Kanu 84, 5), Morrison 6 (Chadli 78, 5), Phillips 6 (McClean 78, 6), Rondon 6.
Subs not used: Palmer, Olsson, Galloway, Gardner.
Booked: Brunt, McAuley, Dawson, Yacob.
STAR MAN: CESAR AZPILICUETA (Chelsea)
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Star:
Chelsea 1 West Brom 0: Diego Costa stunner downs brave Baggies
DIEGO COSTA kept his cool in more ways than one to boost Chelsea’s increasing title prospects.
By David Woods
Last season Costa would most probably have reacted badly to the aggressive and physical approach of Tony Pulis’s uncompromising West Brom side.
But not any more with the new, improved chilled-out Costa taking whatever battering the Baggies gave him yesterday - and responding in the best way possible, by scoring the winner in the 76th minute.
This campaign we’re seeing Costa’s mild blend - and it’s proving very hot and tasty for the west Londoners.
There are good as well as bad ways to show your strength on the pitch and the Brazil-born Spain international striker very much did the former for his goal.
A lofted ball forward by substitute Cesc Fabregas into the right wing channel did not appear to present any danger for West Brom as Costa chased it down in company with Gareth McAuley.
But as they wrestled for possession, Costa outmuscled the Irishman and the ball was at his feet. He still had plenty to do as he cut in towards goal with McAuley chasing him.
From an acute angle, and avoiding a desperation lunge from his opponent, he connected superbly with his left foot, sending a rocket of a shot bending around Ben Foster and flashing into the net just underneath the bar.
As clinical a finish as a boss could wish for, it sparked ecstatic celebrations from Antonio Conte - who leapt into a cuddle with his assistants - and a huge smile from owner Roman Abramovich.
Not surprising really as the goal made it nine wins from nine in the Premier League and took the Blues back to the top of the table, where Arsenal had stayed for 21 hours. It also took the 28-year-old into a clear lead in the top flight scoring charts with 12 goals, one ahead of the Gunners’ Alexis Sanchez.
Suddenly the raging bull that has been Costa doesn’t want to trample on opponents any more. He had opportunities to lose his rag, having been tripped and brought down by Chris Brunt - who was booked in the 20th minute.
In the 38th minute he was stopped from getting his head onto an inviting Pedro cross by a typical just-about-legal block by Claudio Yacob. He wasn’t happy but the moan was low-key as was his reaction in the 51st minute to a block from Craig Dawson, who earned the defender a caution.
Nine minutes later, Dawson brought down Costa again with a foul which looked worse than the previous one. Ref Mike Dean did not reach for a card this time and although Costa was not impressed, there was no red mist.
Close to the final whistle, Costa was involved in a tussle for the ball with Jonny Evans. After he strode forward a few steps towards the centreback, but there was no pushing or shoving, just a little pat, although you suspect there might still have been a word or too to suggest he was still no pussycat!
At the final whistle, he was quite restrained again, raising both arms aloft before a round of handshakes and a big hug from Conte.
Whatever the Italian has done to the man he calls a “warrior” it has worked wonders. Costa did not even get seriously involved in the controversial bust-up at Manchester City nine days ago and he has had just four bookings this season, the last one on the first day of October - a run of ten games without a caution, his best effort for around six years.
To be honest, his superb goal was just about the only real highlight of a game which never caught alight. The noon kick-off, and West Brom’s well-organised resistance, led to a uninspired performance from Chelsea and their fans, who got most worked up before the break about Foster taking his time over kicks.
Pulis’s side had precious little possession but up until the goal came as close to scoring as Chelsea, with Chris Brunt shooting just wide an David Louis reverting to type by presenting Solomon Rondon with the ball and the striker dragging his effort just wide of the far post. The Blues’ best effort was a N’Golo Kante drive which hit Pedro and deflected past an upright.
Then Costa produced that one true bit of class to seal the win. It also keeps Chelsea on course for the Premier League record of most successive wins, currently held by Arsenal at 13 in one season or 14 over two.
But Costa insisted such a challenge was not on his mind. “I’m interested to continue in this way, to win for sure, because it’s important to play each game only thinking about winning,” he said.
“To prepare the games, starting with Sunderland away on Wednesday, in the right way to continue to win is what is important. I’m not interested in the record. I’m interested in gaining three points in every game because that means we can stay top of the table and fighting for something important. We’ve only played 15 games and must continue.”
CHELSEA (3-4-3): Courtois 7; Azpilicueta 7, Luiz 6, Cahill 7; Moses 6 (Fabregas 74), Kante 7, Matic 7, Alonso 6; Pedro 5 (Willian 63, 6), COSTA 8, Hazard 7 (Ivanovic 79).
Subs: Begovic, Batshuayi, Chalobah, Aina.
UP NEXT: Sunderland (a), Premier League, Wednesday.
WEST BROM (4-4-1-1): Foster 6; Dawson 7, McAuley 6, Evans 7, Nyom 7; Brunt 6 (Robson-Kanu 84), Yacob 7, Morrison 6 (Chadli 78), Phillips 7 (McClean 78); Fletcher 6; RONDON 7.
Subs: Palmer, Olsson, Gardner, Galloway.
UP NEXT: Swansea (h), Premier League, Wednesday.
REFEREE: Mike Dean 7
STAR PLAYER: DIEGO COSTA: Cool, calm and collected
STAR SHOCKER: GARETH McAULEY: Punished for one bad mistake
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Express:
Chelsea 1 - West Brom 0: Diego Costa extends Blues' winning run to go back to the top
DIEGO COSTA has managed to avoid picking up a yellow card for Chelsea for ten weeks – while turning into the deadliest striker in the Premier League.
By TONY BANKS
In the season he first arrived at Chelsea, the fiery Spanish international scored 20 goals as his side stormed to the league title when times were good under Jose Mourinho – but he was also booked eight times.
You cannot take the fight out of Diego, they said, because then you take the effectiveness of his game. But here is a man who has not been booked in the Premier League since September 24 – his longest spell without a yellow card in six years – and is now in the form of his life.
Last week in the win at Manchester City, Costa gave a masterclass in centre-forward play; holding the ball up, laying it off, winning it in the air and scoring the crucial equaliser.
At Stamford Bridge, as his team struggled to overcome a resilient, formidably well-organised West Brom, it was Costa who Chelsea turned to again and he provided again, with a quite brilliant winning goal just 14 minutes from time.
It was a classic strike – the standout moment in a game which turned out, as canny West Brom boss Tony Pulis had intended it to right from the very start, into a grim war of attrition.
It was a goal which was also a tribute to the tactical flexibility of manager Antonio Conte and the vision of substitute Cesc Fabregas.
Aware that time was running out and that Chelsea were running continually into the traps set for them by Albion, Conte changed his much vaunted 3-4-3 formation - and threw Fabregas, a man who has always been able to unlock a defence with a clever pass, into the fray.
Two minutes later, the Spaniard knocked a ball over the top for Costa to chase on the right. Albion defender Gareth McAuley got there first, but failed to control the ball – and Costa simply wrestled it off him.
He had plenty to do from there – with the angle narrow and Ben Foster charging out. But the Chelsea striker simply looked up and bent the ball around the Albion keeper into the far corner. On a grey afternoon it was a brilliant splash of colour.
McAuley slumped to the turf, distraught. It was a hard moment for a player who had been exemplary up until then, as had his team. But you sensed their moment had gone.
For the first time since Chelsea set off on this run, it seemed that a team had worked them out. Tottenham briefly did it two weeks ago but could not see the job through. Albion though did it better and very nearly pulled off a superb result. Perhaps it was the early start, perhaps it was Albion’s relentless pressing. But Chelsea took an age to get going yesterday. In fact, at times it looked as if they might be caught by the old sucker punch.
Salomon Rondon glanced a header straight at Thibaut Courtois, Chris Brunt flashed an effort an inch wide and then Rondon missed the far corner by a whisker as Chelsea dithered.
Chelsea simply could not break down the armour-plated Albion rearguard and they were restricted to a couple of long-range David Luiz free-kicks for the best part of an hour.
But then Conte changed things, as first on came Willian and then Fabregas, as he switched away from the formation which has served Chelsea so well for those 10 weeks, pushing Fabregas into an advanced position behind Costa.
The Italian coach is ever willing to switch systems, as he has proved with Juventus and Italy in the past and he did it here again, as within minutes the deadlock was broken.
Pulis, in his trademark baseball cap on the sidelines, seethed with disappointment on the touchline. If anything he had been even more manic in the technical area than Conte yesterday, kicking every ball, calling every decision.
Costa, sweat pouring off him, raised a clench fist to the faithful on the final whistle. The passion is still there alright but now it is just being channelled in the right direction. Which after nine wins in a row now for Chelsea and 12 goals for Costa this season, is why the title is looking an ever more likely possibility.
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Birmingham Mail:
Chelsea 1 West Brom 0: Report with pictures as Albion suffer narrow defeat
Diego Costa scored the only goal to see off a stubborn West Brom side
BY PAUL SUART
A Diego Costa strike 14 minutes from time ended West Bromwich Albion’s resistance and earned Chelsea a ninth straight win.
The league’s top scorer, who had been quiet by his standards, fired into the top corner after Gareth McAuley dwelt on the ball.
The timing of the goal was cruel, even if Chelsea arguably deserved the points on the balance of play and chances created.
All the talk in the build-up was about Chelsea and their astonishing run of results.
But it was the visitors. in pretty good touch themselves, who made the brighter start at a sun-drenched Stamford Bridge.
Salomon Rondon and Chris Brunt both directed headers at goal from crosses off the right side, although the former’s would not have counted with the offside flag raised.
In form winger Matt Phillips blasted over the bar when the ball sat up nicely just outside the box.
Albion so nearly got the breakthrough their play deserved when Rondon picked David Luiz’s pocket before firing narrowly wide of the far post.
Any team visiting the Bridge needs some good fortune to earn a result.
And Albion were on the right side of lady luck when N’Golo Kante’s shot deflected off Pedro and trickled wide, with Foster helpless.
As the half wore on, Chelsea began to win the ball back quicker and Eden Hazard became more of an influence.
He wriggled free of Craig Dawson and curled an effort that was never troubling Foster.
Luiz’s free kick five minutes before the break was of much more concern.
Dipping and swerving, Foster watched it all the way and caught the ball with Chelsea players lurking for a spill.
That it was Chelsea’s first effort on target spoke volumes for Albion’s work off the ball.
The second half started as the first had, with Chelsea dominating possession and territory, but Albion threatening in the final third.
Brunt swung a cross in from the right, that couldn’t quite find Gareth McAuley who had stayed up from a free-kick.
There was a flurry of yellow cards, one that rules Dawson out of the Swansea match, tackles flew in to keep the hosts at bay.
One indiscretion led to a Luiz free-kick Foster was at full stretch to push wide after it took on nick off the wall.
West Brom continued to pose a threat with Phillips’ in-swinger causing momentary panic inside Chelsea’s six-yard area.
On for Pedro, Willian drilled a shot that Foster would not have reached had it been on target.
Chelsea dd not have to wait much longer for the breakthrough though.
Three minutes in fact, with Costa demonstrating just how ruthless he can be with his one clear chance of the match.
Albion were not finished though.
Dawson thumped a volley over when Chelsea only partially cleared a cross
Marcos Alonso showed the same level of accuracy with an effort in the dying stages.
That Albion made a contest of it throughout, with the home fans, urging referee Mike Dean to blow for full-time, was credit to the way they played.
ANALYSIS
There was no special arrangement for Chelsea.
Albion lined up exactly how they did in their four games.
The big difference was that Phillips played almost as a second full-back to cover off the threat of Victor Moses.
Even Rondon found himself tracking back on occasion to help out his over-worked team mates.
It worked, with the Baggies restricting Chelsea to just one shot on target in the opening period.
Even that was a speculative effort from Luiz’s 30-yard free-kick.
CROWD WATCH
Albion’s 1,500 contingent were in fine voice from the off.
They had plenty to feel optimistic about in the early excanges.
“Darren Fletcher, he’s won more than you,” got an airing, as it tends to against the bigger clubs.
There was a reference to the diverse make-up of the home support.
“Ground full of tourists, you’re just a ground full of tourists,”
And all manner of stick from the home fans for Foster, who was in no rush to take his goal-kicks.
BIGGER PICTURE
The Baggies can take plenty of heart from their performance, even if it led to a first defeat in five.
They sat deeper and deeper, but will feel aggrieved with the way Chelsea scored.
Albion will revert from underdogs to favourites when they host Swansea on Wednesday night.
They’re the kind of games Albion’s season will be defined by and from which they must collect maximum points if they’re serious about the top ten.
Goals: Costa (76) - Chelsea
Bookings: Kante (47, foul), Matic (88, unsporting behaviour) - Chelsea
Brunt (19, foul), McAuley (29, foul), Dawson (foul, 51), Yacob (foul, 56) - Albion
Star man: Jonny Evans
Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c), Moses (Fabregas, 74), Kante, Matic, Alonso, Pedro (Willian, 63), Diego Costa, Hazard (Ivanovic, 79).
Subs not used: Begovic, Aina, Ivanovic, Chalobah, Batshuayi.
Albion: Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Nyom, Yacob, Fletcher (c), Brunt (Robson-Kanu, 84), Morrison (Chadli, 77), Phillips (Phillips, 77), Rondon.
Subs not used: Palmer, Olsson, Gardner, Galloway.
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