Chelsea vs. West Brom: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
Chelsea picked up another vital win in their Premier League title challenge on Saturday, beating West Bromwich Albion 2-0 in very comfortable fashion.
Diego Costa opened the scoring after Oscar picked him out with a fine pass, and Eden Hazard doubled the advantage soon after by stealing a finish through Ben Foster's legs. Claudio Yacob's red card after 29 minutes ended the match as a contest.
Here, B/R picks winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Oscar, Who Was Chelsea's Man of the Match
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Oscar has been in phenomenal form recently, and he put in yet another stunning showing against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
He picked out Diego Costa with a beautiful pass to open the scoring, and he was Chelsea's biggest menace in midfield despite boasting the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard.
His touch, awareness and vision are incredible when he's in stride.
Loser: Claudio Yacob, Who Received His Marching Orders
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Claudio Yacob was awarded his first Premier League start of the season on Saturday—a golden chance to impress new boss Alan Irvine against the champions-elect, you might say.
Well, the Argentine had other ideas. Trudging off the pitch after 30 minutes following a straight red card is not the way to win yourself favour, Claudio. His reckless, two-footed diving lunge on Diego Costa deservedly earned him an early bath.
"I don't think Claudio was trying to do any damage to Diego Costa," West Brom manager Alan Irvine said, per PremierLeague.com. "He was trying to win the ball, but the rules are such that if your feet leave the ground with both feet you're not in control. It was a big, big task from the moment Claudio was sent off."
Don't be surprised to see Yacob out of the picture. Again. For a long while.
Winner: Ben Foster, Who Was Magnificent in Goal
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Ben Foster was handed an exceptionally raw deal on Saturday; none of his teammates bothered to show up, leaving the England goalkeeper with cleanup duties on every aisle in the supermarket.
Several superb saves meant that West Bromwich Albion faced a two-goal deficit at half-time rather than a six-goal variant, and in the second period, he continued to thwart the Blues attackers.
He's done his international chances no harm here.
Loser: The Premier League's 'Competitive' Branding
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Unfortunately for neutrals and those in search of excitement, this was a mismatch from the word "go." West Bromwich Albion looked good for approximately two minutes, then Chelsea took over and dominated every facet of the match.
The Premier League, typically, is an exciting watch, but it's these contests—the ones where the chasm in ability is so, so great—that turn some off.
By 60 minutes, WBA were protecting their goal difference with 10 men, and Chelsea were swanning around, victory assured.
Winner: Eden Hazard, Who Was Irresistible
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Andre Wisdom, Chris Baird and any covering midfielder who had the guts to filter over to Eden Hazard's flank on Saturday was destroyed. The Belgian took no prisoners.
West Bromwich Albion attached at least two men to him at all times, and as a result, Cesar Azpilicueta enjoyed free reign down the left to fire in crosses on the overlap.
Hazard beat players for fun on the edge, scored the second, killer goal and freed up so much space for his teammates. Dominant.
