West Brom vs. Chelsea: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
Chelsea recorded their first Premier League win of the season on Sunday by beating West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at the Hawthorns—a genuine bogey ground for Jose Mourinho and Co.
The Blues took the lead via Pedro's deflected shot and doubled it when Diego Costa swept home, counting their blessings and taking advantage after James Morrison blasted a penalty straight at Thibaut Courtois' legs early on.
Morrison did pull one back to make it 2-1, but Cesar Azpilicueta rolled home to restore the two-goal advantage before half-time. Despite a John Terry red card in the second period, the Baggies could only muster one more in a failed comeback.
"It was a fantastic performance," said Mourinho after the game, per the Premier League on Twitter. "I'm not happy with four points from three matches, but I'm happy with the team."
Here, B/R picks its winners and losers from an action-packed game.
Winner: Pedro
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It was some debut for Pedro, who has been parachuted in to spark Chelsea's season after three weeks of negative headlines and poor performances. A goal and an assist in the opening 30 minutes gave the Blues a platform from which to claim their first win of the season.
He offered width and energy, getting on the ball in new areas that Chelsea aren't accustomed to manipulating.
As Football Radar's Jack Rathborn noted, his willingness to play the ball and drive forward with it gives this side a new dimension.
His goal was a little lucky, deflected off Jonas Olsson's leg before nestling in the corner, but his positioning for the assist—firing a ball in for Costa to sweep home—was fantastic. He ran and ran, endearing himself to the travelling faithful immediately.
Loser: Branislav Ivanovic
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Make that three Premier League games in a row in which Branislav Ivanovic has struggled immensely. With Abdul Rahman Baba signed, his place in this XI is in serious jeopardy despite his standing with the club and Mourinho.
It's perhaps excusable to be turned inside out by a demonic Aleksandar Kolarov and an in-form Jefferson Montero, but West Brom's attackers are a noticeable level or two down.
Still the Serbian flailed, being beaten inside and out as he gave territory and chances all game long.
Azpilicueta, playing from the left, scored on the day to cement the difference in each player's current form. Should Baba come into the first-team picture, it's Ivanovic rather than the Spaniard who will be dropping out.
Winner: Callum McManaman
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Callum McManaman put in a fine performance for West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, and despite landing on the losing side, he can hold his head high.
His driving runs were a thorn in Chelsea's side all day, winning the penalty by duping Nemanja Matic into a challenge and attacking both full-backs as he marauded across the pitch. He flummoxed Ivanovic with his quick stepovers and came oh-so-close to netting a lovely goal.
Since bursting onto the scene with Wigan Athletic, he's failed to find consistency, but with Chris Brunt at left-back for WBA, it gives him a chance to prove his worth on the wing.
If he can threaten and dictate on a more regular basis, he could be a surprise weapon for the Midlands club this campaign.
Loser: Nemanja Matic
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Nemanja Matic had an absolutely horrific first 45 minutes against West Bromwich Albion, and although he did perk up late in the day, he still lands in the "loser" column here.
He gave away the penalty which James Morrison missed with a rash challenge, then lost the same man in marking for West Brom's first goal back. Later he failed to mark Morrison properly in the box, allowing the Scot to loop a header over Thibaut Courtois and reignite the home crowd.
A couple of nice moments later on, including a lovely threaded pass to Eden Hazard for a chance missed, don't excuse him but do remind us he's capable of making a special impact.
Widely seen as the league's finest holding midfielder, he'll need to up his act from next week onward if the Blues are going to reassert control in games.
Winner: Kurt Zouma
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After last week's defensive fiasco at Manchester City, Kurt Zouma was chosen ahead of Gary Cahill to partner Terry in defence for Chelsea. He repaid his manager's faith well.
Matching up against Salomon Rondon has to be one of the most unforgiving tasks in football, but the big, bulky Frenchman handled his physicality superbly, bettering him in the air and dealing with his movement well.
With the Blues' continued interest in John Stones, according to the Sunday Express' John Richardson, this is a big moment for Zouma as he stakes a claim for a regular spot. He's guaranteed another start in lieu of Terry next week and can use this as a springboard to prove he's worth the playing time.
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