West Brom produced a stunning performance to end Thomas Tuchel’s unbeaten start as Chelsea manager. Christian Pulisic had given the Blues an expected lead, but a second yellow for the returning Silva swung the balance in the visitor’s favour. Two goals in first-half stoppage time from Matheus Pereira left the Blues with a mountain to climb in the second half. After the break, West Brom exercised their man advantage to score two more and put the game to bed. Mason Mount then made it 4-2, but couldn’t spark a comeback like at the Hawthorns earlier in the season and Callum Robinson put the gloss on the victory with a delightful chip in stoppage time.
Team News
Chelsea
Tuchel made eight changes from the FA Cup win against Sheffield United. Only Kurt Zouma, Mateo Kovacic and Pulisic retained their places. Thiago Silva made his first appearance in two months, while the likes of Mount, Giroud and Havertz were rested. Tammy Abraham and N’Golo Kante were out with injuries.
West Brom
Since Conor Gallagher was ineligible to face his parent club, Semi Ajayi replaced him in the starting XI. This was the only change from their last match, a 1-0 loss away at Crystal Palace.
Chelsea start strong but unravel swiftly
West Brom made their intentions clear from the start – they allowed Chelsea possession but weren’t prepared to sit back. A rusty looking Blues were misplacing passes all too often under pressure from West Brom. The visitors had the first shot of the match, though it was a comfortable catch for Edouard Mendy. Chelsea then took the lead after Marcos Alonso’s free kick hit the post and Pulisic tapped home the rebound. But just seconds later, Thiago Silva’s West Brom nightmares recurred as he saw a second yellow. The red card completely altered the course of the match as two quickfire Pereira goals in first-half stoppage time meant Chelsea went in at half-time a man and a goal behind.
In the second half, instead of sitting back and defending their lead, the Baggies capitalized on the spaces opening up as the 10-men chased an equalizer. Well worked goals from Robinson and Mbaye Diagne put the game beyond all doubt. Mount then scored to reduce the deficit, but the Blues were unable to mount a serious comeback. Instead, it was Robinson who scored again to seal a historic win for Sam Allardyce.
What effect does this have on the table?
Chelsea remain fourth but have given the chasing pack an opportunity to close the gap. If West Ham, Tottenham and Everton win their games in hands, they will leapfrog the Blues.
West Brom still remain 19th, though the gap to Newcastle United has reduced to seven points.
Opta Stats
- West Brom boss Sam Allardyce is the first manager to win away at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League with three different clubs (Bolton Wanderers, Crystal Palace, West Brom)
- Chelsea have conceded eight goals in their two games against West Brom in the Premier League this season, the most they have shipped against one side in a single campaign in the competition
- West Brom netted 5+ goals in a Premier League away game for only the second time, last doing so against Wolves in February 2012 (5-1)
- Chelsea conceded at home under Thomas Tuchel for the first time in all competitions, in the Blues’ eighth game at Stamford Bridge with the German coach in charge
Up Next
Chelsea travel to Porto on Wednesday in the first leg of the Champion’s League quarter-finals.
West Brom host Southampton on Monday, 12th April in the Premier League.