Chelsea widened their lead through a Diego Costa goal, but just five minutes later West Brom were back in the game with a goal from James Morrison, who had an outstanding game. He repaid Jose Mourinho with a gaol on his debut and had a hand in the second goal as weel.
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And West Brom were punished six minutes later as Eden Hazard flicked the ball into Pedro, whose left-footed shot from the edge of the area took a deflection off Jonas Olsson and into Boaz Myhill’s bottom-left corner.
Elsewhere, Southampton, yet to win this season, were held to a goalless draw at promoted Watford, who have now drawn all three matches since returning to the top flight this season.
But Chelsea remained a threat and Willian missed a good chance to make it 3-1 before Azpilicueta netted a couple of minutes before the break.
Caught on his heels in the build-up to West Brom’s goal in the first half, Ivanovic looks as though he’s lost half a yard of pace – which isn’t great given he’s never been blessed with that much of it anyway.
Morrison was made to pay for his miss as four minutes later the Blues were in front.
DF John Terry, 5 – The hearts of Chelsea supporters everywhere will go out to the Chelsea skipper after his sending off on Sunday.
Morrison gave the home fans hope by scoring his second, but Chelsea easily defended their lead and deservedly bagged their first win of the season.
Chelsea appeared to be in full control of the match, but for the second time in three weeks, a single lapse of concentration in the defence turned the match on its head for the Blues.
It was a wonderful counterattacking goal as Chelsea broke from one end of the pitch to the other in the blink of an eye.
The manager also claimed that “people love Chelsea to lose” and although he refused to be drawn on the referee Mark Clattenburg’s performance his frustration was clear. Nearly an instant response to the Chelsea attack, Chris Brunt’s long range effort flew just over the bar, worrying Courtois in the away goal.
In terms of West Brom, they have recently wrapped up their most expensive ever signing, securing the services of South American striker Solomon Rondon, who potentially could get his first taste of English football in today’s game.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho described Pedro Rodriguez as “one of the best attacking players in the world” on Friday and suggested the Spaniard might not be the club’s last signing. Morrison scores – McClean whips in a free kick from the left and glances a header over Matic and Courtois.
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A bad start to the season got even worse for John Terry too, as he was sent off for hauling down Salomon Rondon.
