Chelsea 2-0 West Brom

By Jemma Tappenden
January 18 2009

Craig Beattie, recalled from his loan spell at Crystal Palace, made his first Premiership start for Albion as he fills in for season long absentee Ishmael Miller. Chris Brunt also returned to the starting eleven, but goals scorers Luke Moore and Roman Bednar during Albion's 2-1 victory over Manchester City, drop to the bench.

Albion created an early chance from a Scott Carson throw in the second minute.  James Morrison threaded Brunt through, only for him to see his effort slide agonisingly wide of the right hand post.

But just a minute later Chelsea grabbed a third minute lead.  Joe Cole crossed the ball from the right, and Drogba leapt above Zuiverloon at the far post to head the ball into the far corner.

Lampard tried his luck in the 11th minute with a 30 yard free kick, but Carson dealt with the danger comfortably.  Six minutes later a rare mistake from Chelsea defensively allowed Morrison to set up Kim, but he could only fire his effort straight at Petr Cech.

In the 20th minute Morrison allowed Joe Cole to breeze past him far too easily.  But the England man made a mess of his 15 yard effort.  Albion were forced into a change in the 27th minute as Abdoulaye Meite limped off to be replaced by Leon Barnett.

Bosingwa got the better of Brunt in the 32nd minute, and crossed for Lampard.  But luckily for the Baggies the Chelsea and England midfielder could only fluff his 15 yard effort to stop Chelsea grabbing a second goal.

Michael Ballack tested Carson with a 25 yard stinger, but the Albion keeper did well to hold the ball.  In the 36th minute Joe Cole threaded through Ashley Cole, whose shot forced Carson into a wonderful save at the left hand post.  The rebound fell to Ashley Cole, allowing him a second chance.  But this time he lacked the power on his effort and Carson collected easily.

As the half drew to a close Barnett was on hand to prevent Drogba latching onto an Anelka cross.  But in the second minute of first half stoppage time Chelsea doubled their lead as Ashley Cole slid in behind Zuiverloon to pass to Lampard, who avoided Paul Robinson's challege to slot home past Carson.

Half Time: Chelsea 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

In the 51st minute Chelsea sub Juliano Belletti broke into the Albion box, but chipped well wide of the target.  Two minutes later Drogba resisted all challenges from Morrison, and made easy work of skipping past Paul Robinson before firing an effort straight at Scott Carson.

In the 57th minute Brunt tried his luck with a 30 yard effort, but failed to trouble Cech.  Three minutes later Craig Beattie made way for Luke Moore as Mowbray looked to beef up the Albion attack.

In the 63rd minute Ballack released Drogba down the right, but he sent his 12 yard effort horrifyingly wide.  Two minutes later Drogba did force a fine save from Carson, after Anelka had done all the hard work battling through to the edge of the area to find him.

In the 68th minute Albion created something which looked promising.  Morrison slid in a fine ball to play through Luke Moore, who looked odds on to score before Ivanovic blocked his effort to see the ball out for a corner.  The Greening flag kick found Barnett, whose shot was blocked by a sea of bodies.

In the 74th minute Ballack nearly got himself into trouble as he pushed Brunt in the face as the jostled on the halfway line.  He was lucky to walk away with only a yellow card.

In the 79th minute Brunt's corner found Robinson on the edge of the area.  But his goal bound effort was blocked early.  A last ditch save from Carson denied Anelka a goal in the dying stages of the game.

Full Time: Chelsea 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

Drogba (3)

Lampard (45+2)

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