Chelsea slump to defeat at West Brom

West Brom 1 Chelsea 2

Chelsea suffered a painful defeat at The Hawthorns, where boss Roberto Di Matteo’s decision to field a much-changed line-up backfired.

Juan Mata, Oscar and Ramires were all rested and Chelsea never came close to playing the thrilling attacking football that has marked much of their season.

The superb Shane Long headed West Brom ahead and after Eden Hazard nodded the Blues level, Peter Odemwingie’s second-half header won it for Albion.

Chelsea started well enough and Ryan Bertrand had a shot cleared off the line by Liam Ridgewell.

But despite enjoying the majority of possession and territory Chelsea were ponderous throughout

The hosts looked more dangerous and went ahead when Long headed home a James Morrison cross.

Hazard equalised seven minutes before the interval when his attempt from Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross hit Billy Jones and went in.

Any hopes that would settle the Blues soon vanished on the resumption.

Despite another promising start, they fell behind to Odemwingie’s near-post header after more great work by Long.

Daniel Sturridge went close on three occasions, first with a decent turn and shot, then on the stretch after a fine flicked pass by substitute Mata, and then when through one-on-one.

But he was thwarted each time and even the introduction of Mata and Oscar could not inspire the visitors.

And when Sturridge squandered a glorious late chance, their hopes of salvaging anything disappeared.

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Bertrand, Luiz, Cahill, Mikel (Ramires), Romeu (Oscar), Moses, Sturridge, Hazard, Torres (Mata).
Subs not used: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Cole, Ramires, Mata, Oscar, Marin.

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