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Chelsea managed to end their losing streak with a comfortable 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. The Blues went into the game low on confidence but the Baggies could not take advantage despite having a good start.
Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud linked up well for the first goal in the 25th minute and from then on, it was one-way traffic. Victor Moses slotted home a second in the 63rd minute before Hazard stunned Foster again with a left-footed strike into the near post in the 71st minute.
On that note, here are the 5 talking points from the game:
#5 Hazard steps up, yet again
Eden Hazard made it clear to the world why he's the best Belgian footballer award winner for 2017. The 27-year-old ran the show last night for Chelsea and made sure that all the other players stepped up as well.
He was going past all the West Brom players with ease and had only one thing on his mind: the three points. He was everywhere last night and was ready to receive the ball all the time.
Chelsea need to sort out the contract situation with him as soon as possible. It should be the club's top priority this summer and they should do anything in their power to keep him at the club and away from the jaws of Real Madrid.
#4 Daniel Sturridge adds to West Brom's woes
Daniel Sturridge was signed on loan by West Bromwich Albion to solve their issues in front of goal. The Baggies needed a fresh face to lead their attack and brought in Daniel Sturridge.
The Englishman, however, couldn't do much at Stamford Bridge last night. He came off with a reported hamstring injury just 3 minutes after the game had begun. The substitution changed everything for West Brom and even though Jay Rodriguez tried his best, the Baggies lacked 'something special' up front that Sturridge might have got them.
"Losing Daniel Sturridge after three minutes was a blow in itself," said Pardew in his post-match interview. "That was probably a bigger blow than the result. He felt his hamstring after a 60m sprint in the first moments of the game. We'll have to nurse him."
Alan Pardew will be hoping that it's just a scare and not a serious injury as it would derail all their plans for Premier League survival.
#3 No Cahill = No problem
Gary Cahill, with his absence, once again proved that he is the weak link at the back for Chelsea. The English defender was dropped for Andreas Christensen and all of a sudden, there was a lot of confidence in the air at Stamford Bridge.
The 21-year-old Danish defender was calm and confident on the ball – something Cahill never is. Christensen showed all the attributes Antonio Conte has been demanding from his players.
Moreover, Cesar Azpilicueta commanding the backline was quite visible on the pitch. Christensen and Antonio Rudiger were always listening to his instructions and so was Victor Moses. That itself was enough to make things solid at the back for Chelsea and give the midfielders the confidence to go up front and join the attack.
#2 Decision making of the referee was questionable
Did Lee Mason do Chelsea a favour? No. Did he do West Brom a favour? No. Did he do the game a favour? No.
The referee was unable to control the game as he should have and there were a lot of unanswered questions in the end.
West Brom should have got a penalty for Cesc Fabregas' tackle on Jay Rodriguez and Craig Dawson should have been sent off for his challenge on Davide Zappacosta – both in the first 8 minutes of the game.
Towards the end as well, Ahmed Hegazi manhandled Azpilicueta in the box and despite seeing it, he only gave a warning to the Egyptian defender and did not book him or give Chelsea a penalty.
#1 Giroud is linking well but needs more time
Olivier Giroud made his first start for Chelsea last night vs West Brom. The Frenchman was brilliant in linking up with his new teammates but still has a long way to go.
He was unable to convert the half chances but was able to get into the right positions all the time. He was causing trouble at the back for West Brom and his strength was key to Chelsea's first goal.
He is the right man to push Alvaro Morata to the next level as he has the experience and the physique to consistently challenge him for the starting role.
