Chelsea 2, West Bromiwch Albion 0: Chris Lepowski's Birmingham Mail verdict
Albion didn’t get too dispirited and forced Cech into action once more on 16 minutes when Do-Heon Kim raced into the box to meet a James Morrison pass after Chelsea’s defence dithered over a routine clearance. The Korean’s shot lacked strength.
The absence of a cutting edge proved to be Albion’s weakness against a Chelsea side who were quite willing to spend long periods of the first half free-wheeling and, at worst, being sloppy.
Beattie showed plenty of willing up front but was let down by the final pass from a midfield who were afforded plenty of possession and time on the ball.
At the back Albion’s problems were compounded by the loss of Meite, who limped off after 27 minutes, to be replaced by Leon Barnett.
Carson kept Albion’s hopes alive with an excellent one-handed save from Ashley Cole after he drifted pass Zuiverloon and onto Joe Cole’s pass. The England defender’s shot was touched onto the post and the same player’s follow-up was also kept out by the Albion keeper.
The Baggies effectively lost the game just before half-time. Zuiverloon challenged Ashley Cole and the ball took a ricochet into Lampard’s path.
The Chelsea captain nipped in front of Paul Robinson and slotted the ball past Carson.
Drogba was granted far too much freedom in the final third after 53 minutes when he got past Morrison and Olsson with relative ease but his shot lacked power.
At the other end Brunt had a swerving long-range shot which fell easily for Cech to keep out. Moore came on as a straight swap for Beattie for the final half-hour as Albion sought a way back into the game.
Yet Chelsea missed another chance to score a third. Nicolas Anelka wriggled across the box, dodging a series of challenges. He played the ball to Drogba, who managed to blast his shot straight at Carson despite being left completely unmarked on the right-hand side of the 18-yard box.
It was to be the Ivory Coast striker’s final moment of action – Florent Malouda replacing him in the 67th minute.
Moore raced onto Morrison’s pass a minute later but the ball was put out for the corner. Bednar was Albion’s final sub, coming on for the ineffective Kim.
Chelsea were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men when Michael Ballack pushed Brunt in the face directly in front of referee Rob Styles. He escaped with a yellow card.
Anelka had another late chance for the home side but was denied by Carson.
CHELSEA (4-3-3): P Cech, Bosingwa (Belletti, ht), Ivanovic, Alex, A Cole, Mikel, Ballack, Lampard, J Cole (Deco, 79), Drogba (Malouda, 67), Anelka. Not used: Cudicini, Ferreira, Kalou, Mineiro.
ALBION (4-5-1): Carson 7, Zuiverloon 5, Meite 5 (Barnett, 27, 6), OLSSON 7, Robinson 6, Morrison 7, Kim 5 (Bednar, 69, 6), Greening 5, Koren 6, Brunt 5, Beattie 6 (Moore, 60, 6). Not used: Kiely, Dorrans, Cech, Borja.
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).
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