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A rejuvenated Chelsea side beat West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns in the Premier League on Sunday. Goals from three Spaniards, debutant Pedro, Diego Costa and Cesar Azpilicueta, meant that 10-men Chelsea kept out a strong 2nd half reply from the Baggies.Jose Mourinho's side won their first game of the season when their latest signing from Barcelona, Pedro Rodriguez inspired them. However, John Terry's sending off meant that the Blues' defense still looks vulnerable having conceded two more goals, adding to their 2 and 3 against Swansea and Manchester CIty respectively.Chelsea looked in total command of the game going 3-1 up at half time. But a strong display from the Baggies, along with Terry's red card, meant that Chelsea had to battle it out for the win. West Brom seemed determined to their task of atleast snatching a point from the champions. It could have finished as in draw or even a win for the Baggies had James Morrison not missed his first half penalty.Pedro was the star performer of the game as he inspired the Blues to a great first half display away from home. He scored the opening goal and set up the second goal providing assistance to Costa. James Morrison had an uneven afternoon, scoring a brace but missing a penalty.Let’s analyse the five biggest talking points from this encounter at the Hawthorns.
#1 Pedro is the right man!
Jose Mourinho signed Pedro from Barcelona for £21.4 million and he showed the Blues' fans why he is worth all that money. Scoring his first goal for his new club and playing a part in the next two means that the Spanish international has a lot to offer to the English champions.
Pedro started the game brightly and looked dangerous in all the opportunities he was allowed by the Baggies defense. He scored his first at the 20 minute mark when he picked up the pass from Eden Hazard and shot at the goal which was deflected off a West Brom defender and went past Myhill in the goal.
His second contribution to the game was setting up the second goal when again he got the ball at the edge of the box and shot the ball aiming at the goal but his shot was wide where Diego Costa turned it in the back of the net. With the lack of goals in their first two games against Swansea and Manchester City, Chelsea needed that spark in their game and it was provided by the new boy in Pedro.
The Spanish international joined the London side in training just two days ago, but was linking up well with his new teammates and showing why he is the man for Chelsea. The Blues will be hoping their new signing can keep the momentum going into the rest of their season.
Pedro was substituted around 80 minutes when Mourinho brought on John obi Mikel to prevent West Brom's retaliation.
#2 John Terry\'s woes continue
John Terry played all 38 Premier League games for Chelsea last season and was considered the main reason why Chelsea won the title convincingly with a tight defense.
Three games into the new season, the same John Terry has seen why football is a leveler. He was a part of the side that conceded two against Swansea, then he was sustituted at halftime at the Etihad and has now been red-carded in only the third game of the season.
Jose Mourinho would have been hoping that Terry will buckle up and produce a good performance at the Hawthorns, but that wasn’t to be. Terry brought down Salomon Rondon just outside the box when James McClean released the Baggies’ new signing. Terry put his arms around the Venezuelan to gift West Brom a freekick outside the box and earning himself a straight red.
The woes for former England captain continue as he will be suspended for their next fixture. The good thing for Chelsea is the performance of Kurt Zouma who impressed on the day and filled the void left by Terry.
#3 Diego Costa opens his account
Diego Costa scored his first goal of the season as he turned in Pedro’s shot at the farpost close to the half-hour mark.
Diego Costa had been unable to score for Chelsea in any of their friendlies and did not feature in the Community Shield clash against Arsenal. He had also been unable to score in the first two Premier League games against Swansea and Manchester City.
Coming into the third game of the Premier League season at the Hawthorns, Chelsea needed Costa to start scoring and he did. Making good runs and holding up the ball for the likes of Hazard and Pedro was noticeable in Costa’s performance on the day, where he was also seen exchanging heated words with West Brom’s Argentine Yocob. Chelsea have lacked the goals so far in the season and Costa opened his account for the season where he will be hoping to make a lasting impression on the Premier League season with his goals.
Mourinho will be expecting Costa to deliver in the coming games and get ready for the tough season ahead as Chelsea prepare to defend their title.
#4 West Brom need more fight
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis will be hoping his side can go ahead and convert their performances into points as points matter at the end of the season. West Brom looked dangerous on the attack with McManaman and Morrison producing top performances.
New striker Salomon Rondon will be hoping to contribute to his new club. Rondon was part of many attacking plays on the day but failed to convert his shots into goals. McManaman looked the best of the West Brom players as he made attacking runs through the right and left wings, beating Ivanovic and Azpilicueta on many occasions.
The Baggies will have to tight up their defense if they are to get points at home and on the road. Olsson brings height to their game but it was not enough on the day, as Chelsea managed to get three goals before half time. Tony Pulis will have to look at his defense if he wants to climb up the table and make a statement. Serge Gnabry, on loan from Arsenal, also looked bright when he came on late in the game.
Pulis has always maintained his sides to be entertaining, with a mixture of good attacking and defensive play, but this West Brom side lacks on the defensive front. Bringing in a good central defender into the side might work wonders for the Baggies this season but it is highly unlikely that Pulis will add to his squad.
#5 Chelsea need to tighten up at the back
Jose Mourinho has historically managed his teams to be strong at the back and play defensively against the top teams and play on the counter attack. But this Chelsea side has only managed to get four points from their three games so far, having conceded seven goals already.
John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic, all the three players who did so well last term have so far been disappointing for the side. Terry and Ivanovic in particular have failed to produce any impressive performances so far. Cesar Azpilicueta has been his typical self and looked impressive in defense and also going forward on the attack.
Matic and Fabregas have also failed to control the midfield so far. Teams looking to beat Chelsea this season, will be looking to target Ivanovic and Terry at the back, as both the players seem out of form currently.
With Terry suspended for their clash against Crystal Palace next weekend, Mourinho will be looking to set up Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill in the central defensive partnership and will hope Chelsea can manage a clean sheet.
