TEN-MAN Chelsea have been hammered by struggling West Brom at Stamford Bridge.
Christian Pulisic gave Thomas Tuchel’s Blues the lead on 28 minutes against the Baggies.
But just one minute later Thiago Silva was sent off for a second bookable offence.
And in first half stoppage time, Matheus Pereira bagged a quickfire double to turn the game on its head.
Callum Robinson and Mbaye Diagne then put the Baggies three goals ahead but Mason Mount has given the Blues hope.
However a second from Callum Robinson in stoppage time rounded off a thumping win for Sam Allardyce’s side.
THAT’S ALL FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE
I did ask for a minimum of five goals in this match and the lads provided us with seven. You see, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.
Chelsea started off the game controlling all the possession but moments of pressure from the Baggies led to some sloppy play in their passing.
However, the Blues did take the lead through Mason Mount who was quickest to follow in a Marcos Alonso’s free-kick which originally hit the post.
Sam Allardyce must have feared the worst at this point but then a bizarre challenge from Thiago Silva minutes after the restart, led to the Brazilian getting sent off in under half-an hour.
And then to rub salt into the Blues wounds, not only did West Brom get the equaliser but Pereira put his side 2-1 up in stoppage time of the first half.
Thomas Tuchel was forced into tweaking his team around for the second 45 but it was to no avail because Callum Robinson got on the scoring act on the 63rd minute with a superb volley.
Then Diagne put the Baggies in dreamland by making it 4-1 after some excellent team play.
Mason Mount pulled one back for Chelsea giving Thomas Tuchel’s side a glimmer of hope but Robinson went on to delightfully chip Mendy, getting his second of the day and West Brom’s fifth in additional time.
A great day for Sam Allardyce and his side. As for Tuchel and Chelsea, their honeymoon period is officially over.
Thanks for sticking with me today people but there’s plenty more action coming up right here on SunSport.
Happy Easter again and have an EGGSellent weekend!
DOUBLE TROUBLE
One more statistic for everyone that loves a stat.
Matheus Pereira and Callum Robinson are only the second duo following Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez to both score a brace in the same Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.
MATCH REPORT
Fancy reading SunSport’s very own Andy Dillon’s summary of how West Brom completely outclassed Chelsea on their own turf?
CLICK HERE FOR THE MATCH REPORT
Trust me, it’s not one to miss.
NEXT UP FOR THE BLUES
The Blues have no time to feel sorry for themselves because next, Chelsea travel across London to take on Crystal Palace before welcoming Brighton to Stamford Bridge the following week in the Premier League.
But in between those fixtures, Thomas Tuchel’s side have to try and navigate their way past Porto in the Champions League Quarter-Final as well as overcome Manchester City in the FA Cup Semi-Final.
April is turning out to be a make or break month for Chelsea.
CURRENT LEAGUE STANDINGS
With Chelsea failing to register any points against West Brom, it blows the top four race wide open.
As for the Baggies, it’s a huge step in the right direction for their relegation battle but the reality of it is that they still have a lot to do.
TUCHEL TALKS
The Chelsea boss held his hands up and accepted that his team were just not good enough today.
Thomas Tuchel said: “We were not able to cope with the situation.
“Everything that could of gone wrong went wrong thanks to the red card but we have to accept a big loss today so maybe it’s a big wake up call for all of us, me included.
“We made big, big mistakes before the two yellow cards so we are responsible for that, we had too many ball losses.
“Today was impossible for us to adapt to the situation but we have to adapt it even if it is very hard.”
CHELSEA’S NIGHTMARE
A little extra on Callum Robinson.
The forwards braces both home and away against the Blues puts him level with Sergio Aguero for the most goals scored against Chelsea.
ROBINSON’S ROCKET
And here is the superb volley from Callum Robinson.
What a fantastic effort.
ROBINSON’S REVIEW
Callum Robinson loves a goal against Chelsea and he was kind enough to describe how his first one of the match played out.
The West Brom attacker said: “It’s nice to come here and get so many goals and really enjoy it today against a really good Chelsea team ten men or not.
“I don’t have a clue. It must just be that team where I enjoy playing against their defenders, I’m not sure.
“The lads done great today for me to get them two goals and I really enjoyed it.
“I was just begging he saw me but I didn’t want to shout too loud so the defender would hear me but they didn’t pick me up and I just wanted to get good contact.
“And I was happy enough that it went in the top corner or wherever it went.”
AFTER EIGHT
The Baggies have scored eight goals against Chelsea across both Premier League fixtures this season which is the most any team has managed against the Blues since Liverpool in the 1989-90 campaign.
FULL TIME STATS
The Blues dominated statistics wise but that doesn’t paint the full picture of how well West Brom played.
And to be honest, the only stat that counts is in the top row.
TUC-HEL OF A BEATING
Sam Allardyce has just handed Thomas Tuchel his first loss as Chelsea boss and what a defeat it was.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THIS GAME EPITOMISES THE PREMIER LEAGUE!
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!
FT: CHELSEA 2-5 WEST BROM
For all of Chelsea’s attacking play, they got caught out on the counter by one splitting through-ball.
And Callum Robinson who is in blistering form against the Blues, delicately dinked the ball over an oncoming Mendy.
Before today, Chelsea had only conceded one goal under Thomas Tuchel and now they have shipped five in one game!
CHELSEA 2-5 WEST BROM
GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!
IT’S FANTASTIC FIVE FOR WEST BROM!
AND ANOTHER FOR CALLUM ROBINSON!
UNBELIEVABLE!
CHELSEA 2-4 WEST BROM
86. Jake Livermore has been sent on by Sam Allardyce to replace Matthew Phillips just to sturdy up the defence.
That’s more like the Sam we know.
CHELSEA 2-4 WEST BROM
85. Chelsea are trying their hardest to pass their way through the Baggies defence.
But that back-line is staying firm and with only five minutes remaining, time is running out for the Blues.
GOOD OL’ GARY
Gary Linker just reminding us that we are not used to seeing Sam Allardyces’ teams score four in a match.
CHELSEA 2-4 WEST BROM
79. Timo Werner is trying to take matters in his own hands by shooting outside the box.
But his effort is blocked. The Blues are getting desperate.
PRAYING MANTIS
Mbaye Diagne celebrating his goal but I’m sure he included for West Brom to hang on for the three points in his prayers.
CHELSEA 2-4 WEST BROM
75. ZOUMA HOW DID YOU MISS?!
Reece James picked out his team-mate at the back-post and Kurt Zouma just had to keep the ball down but he fluffed his lines.
Had that gone in, it would of been panic stations for Sam Allarydce and his side.
A bit of complacency crept in the West Brom ranks enabling Chelsea to breakthrough their back-line easily.
And Timo Werner unselfishly put it on a plate for Mason Mount to tap home for Chelsea’s second of the day.
Game on!
CHELSEA 2-4 WEST BROM
GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!
HOLD ON A MINUTE HERE!
MASON MOUNT HAS JUST MADE IT 4-2!
IT’S NOT OVER YET FOLKS!
Excellent team play from the Baggies.
They hit Chelsea on the counter attack and Diagne kept his composure to tuck the ball home past Mendy.
Surely that’s the game or is there time for one more twist?
CHESLEA 1-4 WEST BROM
GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!
I CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT I AM SEEING HERE!
IT’S ANOTHER FOR THE BAGGIES!
DIAGNE MAKES IT FOUR!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
