Chelsea vs. West Brom: Score, Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match

Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, as Craig Gardner and James McClean cancelled out Cesar Azpilicueta's early finish and a Gareth McAuley own goal.

The Baggies were fully deserving of a point in their trip to Stamford Bridge, as Tony Pulis' tactics prevented the west Londoners from edging out of reach in what proved to be an engrossing tug-of-war.

Six yellow cards were shown in a fiery affair between two teams who came into the midweek clash just three points apart, and a draw means the Blues are still yet to book back-to-back wins this Premier League season.

Chelsea got their noses in front twice against the Baggies only to let the advantage slip on both occasions, a disappointing fact highlighted by Bleacher Report UK:

The Blues opened Wednesday's matchup in confident fashion, but West Brom weren't inclined to roll over against their hosts, who found it difficult to find frontman Diego Costa in space during the early exchanges.

Guus Hiddink's reign at the club has thus far been exemplified by his ability to coax the best out of many players who had otherwise been underperforming, and Azpilicueta's strike summed up that improvement.

Willian slipped right-back Branislav Ivanovic in down the right flank, and he fired a pinpoint cross to left-sided counterpart Azpilicueta, who gave Baggies No. 1 Boaz Myhill no chance of stopping the opener.

Goal's Liam Twomey took note of how this Chelsea team differs to the one that was playing under sacked manager Jose Mourinho:

The west Londoners built in confidence following the goal, but West Brom were content in playing on the counter, while the likes of Costa and Oscar threatened to cause more trouble.

The lead didn't last long, though, and Pedro crumbled under Albion's midfield pressure in the 33rd minute. Darren Fletcher poked a ball to Gardner—on for the hamstrung James Morrison—in acres of space, and the substitute lashed a low, driving shot inside Thibaut Courtois' left post to score his first goal of the season.

It proved a timely equaliser for West Brom, too, as the away side saw out the remainder of the half probing Chelsea's half with no small share of the chances in front of goal.

FourFourTwo's Harriet Drudge confirmed the travelling supporters were in good voice after pulling level, taunting their hosts with a chorus of "You're going down with the Villa":

Costa was once again in the spotlight for a couple of niggling fouls early in the second half as tempers flared between the two sides, and referee Anthony Taylor was forced to settle the two sides repeatedly.

That, in turn, led to fewer clear-cut chances in front of goal, and the fixture descended into a war of which side could earn a superior share of the free-kick count.

Match of the Day highlighted how the action had turned away from the football on display and descended into a far-from-glamourous affair:

Chelsea entered the final quarter of the clash with tensions rising as to whether the hosts could find a crucial second goal, but it was ultimately a Baggies player who put them back in front.

Willian flashed a begging cross towards the onrushing Kenedy, but it was his marker, McAuley, who got a knee to the ball and put it past Myhill, giving Chelsea a 2-1 lead with just 15 minutes remaining.

West Brom wouldn't let the opportunity escape their grasp, though, and Pulis' side continued to knock on the door, which eventually gave way to Republic of Ireland international McClean.

The winger collected the ball on the edge of Courtois' area, snapping a low, powerful shot into Courtois' bottom-right corner for an 86th-minute equaliser, which proved to be the final addition to the scoresheet.

IAN KINGTON/Getty Images

Wednesday's draw means Chelsea have failed to secured back-to-back Premier League wins this season, but Hiddink's men are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions.

The west Londoners continue to make progress under interim chief Hiddink, but the Dutchman will undoubtedly be disappointed his side surrendered the lead twice in front of a home crowd.

Meanwhile, a point for West Brom means the Baggies are still waiting on their maiden Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge, replicating the 2-2 draw in November 2013, their previous best result in west London.

An away trip to Southampton on Saturday means Pulis' men have little time to rest on their laurels, while Chelsea play host to Everton on the same day in the hopes of getting back to winning ways.

Post-Match Reaction

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Chelsea remain unbeaten under Hiddink, but that won't stop Stamford Bridge supporters from ruing Wednesday's draw as another opportunity for three points gone astray.

The Dutchman fully acknowledged that disappointment in his post-match comments, but he also made sure to make his feelings known that West Brom midfielder Claudio Yacob should have been sent off in the second half, per BBC Sport:

"

The unbeaten run goes on but we would have preferred the win. West Brom always bounce back, there is great character. It was an intense game. Diego Costa controls himself, he is very dangerous. The player is concentrated on his job and doing very well.

The manager made a wise decision when he took over the role off the referee and took of Claudio Yacob. The referee forgot to do it.

"

Pulis will be the far happier of the two managers considering West Brom had only taken one point from their previous nine visits to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

His Baggies team shunned any parking of the bus in west London and looked to attack with great fervour for long stretches, leaving Pulis content with the display, per BBC Sport:

"

We are pleased. It was a tough game, you have to ride your luck and work hard and we did that. I thought we were a threat as well. A great advert for Premier League football. Disappointed with both their goals but we kept going. 

We were disappointed with one or two of our players because they got wound up and kept the crowd going. You have to be sensible and you have to play with your head.

"

The former Stoke City and Crystal Palace manager concurred with Chelsea counterpart Hiddink and stated, "Yacob was lucky on the second one not to get sent off," suggesting the Blues could feel hard done by.

In a parting comment, Pulis hinted outcast striker Saido Berahino, who played the last 30 minutes as a substitute on Wednesday, may yet leave the club in January. He said: "Saido Berahino's situation is up in the air. The chairman is running the club diligently, the finances are up to him."