West Brom have moved into the top half of the table following their first English Premier League win over Chelsea on Saturday.West Brom had the better of the first half at The Hawthorns as they continuously pressed high up the pitch, affording Chelsea next to no time on the ball, but the visitors were holding firm and Petr Cech was on form.
The second half followed a similar pattern as West Brom dominated for long periods and their goal finally came as Gareth McAuley poked home following a free-kick to give the home team a 1-0 victory.
Both sides named unchanged teams from their respective wins last weekend and Fernando Torres missed out once again for Chelsea, while Daniel Sturridge also started despite being a doubt with a toe injury.
After five goals in his past two matches, Peter Odemwingie started up front alongside Marc-Antoine Fortune, Jerome Thomas started even though he was doubtful and Chris Brunt returned to the squad, taking a place on the bench.
The match started brightly for both sides as Keith Andrews' header tested Cech, and then moments later at the other end Gary Cahill tried to bundle the ball home after Juan Mata's corner, but the home defence stood strong.
Chelsea had been second best for the first 15 minutes, but they soon got themselves a chance when Michael Essien played a forward ball to Didier Drogba, who in turn flicked the ball cleverly into the penalty area, but Mata's right-footed attempt was put behind by Ben Foster.
Next to try his luck was Fortune as his effort squirmed wide of Cech's right hand post, followed soon by a long-range strike from Odemwingie, which also went wide.
The backwards and forwards nature of the match continued as Chelsea were twice unlucky not to take the lead. First, Essien's driven strike was clawed away from the top corner by Foster, and then Sturridge, with the defence and goal at his mercy, beat the goalkeeper but put his strike wide of the post.
The second half started in a similar vein to the first, as both sides traded blows but neither could manage a goal.
Chelsea almost took the lead when Steven Reid gave possession away before going down injured, but the visitors weren't interested as Drogba played Sturridge though the middle, only for Foster to rush miles out of his goal, beating the striker and clearing.
Fortune soon got himself another opportunity as a ball from the left evaded Luiz, bouncing over the Brazilian, but the Baggies striker's shot was palmed over by Cech.
As the hosts continued press, a goal always looked likely and they finally took the lead through McAuley. Chelsea once again failed to clear their lines from a West Brom free-kick and after the ball bobbled about in the penalty area, the former Ipswich defender was on hand to poke the ball past Cech.
Frank Lampard came inches from equalising as he flicked Mata's pass goalwards, but West Brom held on for the three points after a fantastic performance.
Sumber : Soccerway
No comments:
Post a Comment