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West Brom logo
Premier League
Aug 23, 2015 at 1.30pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

2-3

Morrison (35', 59')
FT(HT: 1-3)
Pedro (20'), Costa (30'), Azpiliceuta (42')

Chelsea survive West Bromwich Albion scare to claim first Premier League win

Chelsea beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at The Hawthorns to pick up their first Premier League win of the season.

Chelsea have held on to beat West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at The Hawthorns and claim their first win of the Premier League season.

The Champions had to play more than 30 minutes with just 10 men after the dismissal of skipper John Terry, but they were able to pick up a much-needed victory in what was Jose Mourinho's 300th game in charge.

Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Pedro (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (2nd R) and Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa during the English Premier League football match between West Bro© Getty Images

The home side made the better start to the contest, as both James McClean and summer signing Salomon Rondon missed decent early openings.

West Brom were then gifted another golden chance to open the scoring when Callum McManaman was brought down by Nemanja Matic inside the area, but James Morrison failed to get the better of the returning Thibaut Courtois.

Mourinho's men did not have to wait long to make the Baggies pay, either, as debutant Pedro exchanged passes with Eden Hazard before placing the ball between the legs of Jonas Olsson and into the corner of the net.

Pedro was involved again soon after, leading a counter-attack and firing towards goal, where Diego Costa was waiting to slide home the visitors' second of the afternoon.

Chelsea's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois dives to save a penalty taken by West Bromwich Albion's English-born Scottish midfielder James Morrison (not pictured) during the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea © Getty Images

West Brom did not collapse, though, and on 35 minutes they found a goal when Morrison finished smartly past the reach of the man who had earlier kept out his penalty attempt.

Chelsea looked impressive on the counter-attack, however, and Willian should have scored his side's third after Pedro played the Brazilian in for a simple finish from the right, only for his effort to go harmlessly wide.

The visitors did get their third goal before the break, as Cesar Azpilicueta picked up a lay-off from Costa before scoring his first Premier League goal, with Myhill rooted to the spot.

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, the dynamic of the game changed once more when Terry was shown a straight red card for hauling down Rondon when the Venezuelan was through on goal.

John Terry of Chelsea challenges Salomon Rondon of West Bromwich Albion leading to his red card during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea at The Hawthorns on August 23, 2015© Getty Images

Myhill had to be alert to deny the 10 men of Chelsea a fourth, as Matic's free kick found its way through the West Brom wall, but it was game on once more moments later when Morrison leapt above Matic up the other end to head home his second of the contest.

A lively Pedro continued from where he left off in the first half, meanwhile, picking out Costa with a fine cross which his compatriot could only volley wide of goal.

McManaman was the next player to come close in the lively affair, firing narrowly wide of the post before substitute Radamel Falcao failed to make the most of Pedro's slide-rule pass.

In the end, Chelsea were able to pick up the victory at a ground they have struggled at of late, but only after Courtois produced one final save to deny Rondon's blast at the death.

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Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Pedro (C) runs with the ball in the build up to scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich, central England on August 23, 20
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