Chelsea denied win by late West Brom goal

Chelsea 2 West Brom 2

Chelsea twice squandered the lead as they failed to make the most of a spirited display in a niggly match.

The Blues, seeking back to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season, led through Cesar Azpilicueta’s close-range strike, and then a Gareth McAuley own goal.

But Craig Gardner’s shot and a late James McClean effort earned a point which keeps West Brom above the Blues in the table.

Chelsea had the better of the first half and deservedly led when Diego Costa and Willian combined to play in Branislav Ivanovic and Azpilicueta sidefooted home the Serbian’s cross.

Costa, fit despite limping off in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Scunthorpe, was sharp and dangerous from the start and involved in most of Chelsea’s best moments before the break.

He crashed an early shot wide after a good run, miscued another effort following a fine move, and was a constant threat in behind.

The equally impressive Willian also went close with a fierce 20-yard strike after cutting in from the right flank.

West Brom had looked dangerous from set-pieces, with Thibaut Courtois twice making decent low stops, most notably from McClean’s header.

But they found themselves level from open play when Gardner, on as an early substitute for the injured James Morrison, took advantage of some sloppy play by Pedro to score from 20 yards.

The second half sparked in to life when Claudio Yacob seemed fortunate to escape a second caution for bringing down Costa off the ball.

It infuriated the home fans and players, and both seemed to raise their game on the back of that feeling of injustice.

Willian raced down the right and his near-post cross found its way in at the near post via McAuley, who was under intense pressure from Kenedy.

Costa almost made it 3-1 with a fine strike across goal, but the Baggies snatched a draw when McClean calmly guided a shot past Courtois from the edge of the box.