Eden Hazard’s two goals capped an outstanding team display from champions Chelsea as they moved up to second in the Premier League.
Alvaro Morata, Hazard and Marcos Alonso all scored in the first half to effectively put the game beyond the struggling Baggies.
And Hazard’s second, created by Cesc Fabregas, set the seal on an excellent performance and sent a signal to the rest of the division that they are still contenders to retain their crown.
Returning to the ground where they clinched the title last season, the Blues scored three times in the space of 21 minutes in the first period.
Morata got the first, netting the rebound after Hazard’s shot was saved by Ben Foster.
The two combined for the second goal, Morata’s delightful flick releasing the Belgian, who rounded Foster before stroking into the empty net.
Shaken by the two quick goals, the Baggies took a little while to recover but went close when Ahmed Hegazi nodded wide from a corner.
However, the struggling hosts’ leaky defence conceded again when Alonso met Fabregas’ free-kick with a side-footed finish at the far post.
Foster made saves from Hazard and Morata after the break but he was beaten again as Hazard latched on to Fabregas’ raking pass, cut inside Hegazi and curled home.
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Zappacosta, Fabregas (Drinkwater 67), Kante (Willian 77), Bakayoko, Alonso; Hazard (Pedro 71); Morata.
Subs not used: Caballero, Rudiger, Ampadu, Luiz.
This post was last modified on 18/11/2017