Never write-off Chelsea when faced with adversity, but a more measured approach might be to consider any progression beyond looming opponents Paris Saint-Germain to be a bonus – particularly as the winners are likely to have to beat a ruthless-looking Barcelona.
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“If they didn’t, I was always confident there would be another club out there who would give me a contract”.
Hiddink said: “How close to the line was he?”
“You can not expect that every game is an exciting game, but all the coaches I think like to see their game played in an exciting way”, Hiddink said. Hazard would be given all the time needed recover from his latest injury.
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink defended Diego Costa after the striker punched a hole in the tunnel. At the moment, the Dutchman’s only fit options are Diego Costa and Loic Remy, which is a deep concern.
To be fair to Hiddink, he was also clear that while theoretically possible, fourth was so far beyond the realms of likelihood that it stretched probability well beyond its limits of elasticity. He was sidelined for a couple of weeks and is now back. The days are over when a team such as Albion, as they did under Bryan Robson a decade ago, would write off a match like this and field the sort of team now deployed in cup ties.
Ben Foster could make his first Premier League appearance since March.
Kenedy will have played himself into his manager’s thoughts with his second-half showing, while 19-year-old winger Bertrand Traore will also hope to receive a chance or two before the campaign’s denouement in May.
The score remained 1-1 at the halftime break.
Take Chelsea last season, when they were relentless in punishing teams. Albion had won their last two league matches and if their default setting appears defensive that is the same every week, not just when away to the champions.
Chelsea vs West Brom is not available in live streaming.
The game was a fiery one throughout, and Courtois slammed West Brom’s tactics after the game.
“We tried to do our best, we came back, but sadly they got the second goal”. With Berahino likely to leave because of less playing time, the team could certainly do with extra firepower in this transfer window. West Brom, meanwhile, will be happy with their point in an impressive performance.
Chelsea has kept a clean sheet in 7 of their last 9 games in all competitions.
VIEW FROM THE BENCH Chelsea lined up with their familiar system with their full-backs given license to get forward, not least when both combined for the opening goal.
The ill-feeling on the pitch grew as the game wore on, home supporters vexed by West Brom’s time-wasting.
To their credit, the visitors refused to give up as they took the game to Chelsea.
Costa seems have found his form back since the departure of Mourinho.
West Brom arrived with a awful record at Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea forged ahead again as Kenedy and McAuley challenged for Willian’s cross and the ball struck the knee of the defender before defeating Boaz Myhill at his near post. The speed and tricks which Willian possess could worry McAuley.
