Chelsea steadied the ship (somewhat) on Sunday afternoon courtesy of a hard-fought 3-2 win at the Hawthorns.
West Brom ashould have taken an early lead when Callum McManaman was felled in the box by Nemanja Matic. However, James Morrison’s spot-kick was saved by Thibaut Courtois.
Then, on the 20 minutes, new-man Pedro marked his Chelsea debut with a goal after linking well with Eden Hazard.
10 minutes later, the Spaniard was at the centre of things again for the visitors, with his cross-shot setting up Diego Costa, who fired home from close-range.
However, Tony Pulis’ side weren’t out of it yet, and on 35 minutes Morrison atoned for his poor penalty by firing home after £12million man Salomon Rondon had superbly kept the ball in play.
The goals kept on coming in the first-period, with a rare goal from Cezar Azpilicueta sending the Blues in 3-1 up at the break.
Keeping his place in the starting line-up despite being hauled-off at half-time against Manchester City, John Terry would suffer another afternoon to forget, when he saw red for pulling back last-man Rondon on 53 minutes.
John Terry red card #CFC pic.twitter.com/pH1hw5Cd63
— The Lads (@LadsOffThePitch) August 23, 2015
Morrison then bagged his second of the game, via a looping header, as Tony Pulis’ men looked to capitalise on their one-man-advantage.
However, Jose Mourinho’s charges held on for the last half-hour to secure their first win of the new season. Although questions remain both the Blues’ defensive solidity in general and Terry’s form in particular.
(Highlights: Dailymotion)