West Bromwich Albion claimed a shock 3-0 victory over 10-man Chelsea at The Hawthorns this evening.
The Baggies took the lead in the ninth minute when Saido Berahino curled a strike into the bottom corner.
Chelsea were then reduced to 10 men after Cesc Fabregas saw red for kicking the ball into the face of Chris Brunt.
Early in the second half West Brom doubled their lead, as Berahino slotted in a penalty after being brought down inside the box by John Terry.
Brunt wrapped up the points for Albion with a powerful low drive that ended Chelsea's 16-game unbeaten run.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Good evening everyone! We've had another great season in the Premier League and its all set to come to an end this weekend. There's still a couple more games to go until the final set of fixtures and at The Hawthorns tonight champions Chelsea will be looking to extend their unbeaten run against West Bromwich Albion.
It has been a great season for Chelsea, who have won their first league title since 2010 and a third overall for manager Jose Mourinho. They have been a class apart from their rivals and if they win their last two games then they can still reach the 90-point-mark, which has only been achieved by six teams.
We've arrived at the Hawthorns. If you look (very!) closely you may be able to spot a pre-match rainbow... #CFC pic.twitter.com/pJWDrZYYC3
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 18, 2015
West Brom have also met expectations by keeping their place in the top flight, although it did look as if they would be in for a relegation scrap following a poor start to the season. However, the arrival of Tony Pulis steadied the ship and they finally confirmed survival two weeks ago with a superb win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Right, before we go any further let's check out how the teams will be lining up when it all kicks off in just over 50 minutes time.
WEST BROM XI: Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Lescott, Brunt, Fletcher, Yacob, Morrison, McManaman, Berahino
CHELSEA XI: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Luis, Loftus-Cheek, Matic, Remy, Fabregas, Hazard, Costa
WEST BROM SUBS: Rose, Wisdom, Baird, Mulumbu, Gardner, Anichebe, Ideye
CHELSEA SUBS: Blackman, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Ake, Mikel, Cuadrado, Brown
There we have our starting lineups for this evening. As you can see, Diego Costa is back for Chelsea, after missing the last six weeks with a hamstring injury. There is also a start for Loic Remy, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek keeps his place after making his full debut last weekend.
Meanwhile, West Brom have made three changes to the side that were held to a draw by Newcastle in their last match. Saido Berahino is chosen to start ahead of Victor Anichebe, while James Morrison and Callum McManaman are also back in the starting XI.
They may have had their critics this season, but few would argue that Chelsea have been worthy winners of the Premier League. The Blues have led the way since the end of August and at the weekend they will set a new record of 272 days spent at the top of the table, which further underlines their dominance over everyone else.
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Jose Mourinho's side have been unfairly labelled with the tag of being a boring side, due to their cautious performances against their direct rivals. However, victories like their 6-3 win over Everton and 5-0 hammering of Swansea were some of the most exciting displays of the season and only Manchester City have scored more goals than they have.
For all of their success in the top flight and their victory in the League Cup final, there have been a couple of major disappointments. They were memorably knocked out of the FA Cup by Bradford and they allowed the lead to slip twice against 10-man Paris Saint-Germain as they exited the Champions League at the last 16 stage.
There are bound to be a couple of changes to the squad as they aim to defend their title and go further in Europe, but whoever they bring in will have a tough task of impressing more than last summer's two big acquisitions. Cesc Fabregas has been a key player since his move from Barcelona and has set up 18 goals this season, which is eight more than the 10 Angel di Maria and Gylfi Sigurdsson have managed.
The other big-money signing was Diego Costa, who has scored 20 goals this season, with 19 of those coming in 23 league games. You have to believe that he would have added to that tally if he had been injury free, but the form of Eden Hazard has eased the burden on his shoulders. The Belgian has fired in a crucial 14 league goals and it has led to him being named the PFA Player of the Season.
While the title is a million miles away for West Brom, they have achieved their main target for the season, which is Premier League survival. They are also set to improve upon last season's 17th placed finish and could climb above Crystal Palace into 12th spot if they pick up two unlikely wins against tonight's opponents Chelsea and Arsenal, who they meet on Sunday.
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They were sinking towards the relegation zone and at the end of the year a run of three straight defeats saw Alan Irvine sacked. Tony Pulis was then given the task of leading them to safety and he worked his magic once again, by making the Baggies tough to beat and a far more solid unit.
Although four defeats in five games from the start of March to the middle of April put them under a bit of pressure, they ended that bad run with a victory over Crystal Palace and are now unbeaten in their past four outings. That includes draws against Liverpool and Newcastle, as well as a 1-0 victory at Manchester United, that mathematically confirmed their place in the league for a sixth consecutive season.
In this season's reverse fixture, it was a fairly routine victory for Chelsea, as goals from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard saw them win 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Both of those strikes came inside the opening 25 minutes, before Claudio Yacob saw red for the Baggies for a challenge on Costa.
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It's fair to say that the Baggies don't have the best record against Chelsea and they have won just two of the previous 27 games between the teams. However, both of those have come in their last three home games against the Blues, with their last defeat against tonight's opponents at The Hawthorns coming four years ago.
PREDICTION: Even though there is not much to play for tonight, both teams will be hoping for a good result to continue their unbeaten runs. West Brom have produced some good performances in recent weeks and have been solid at the back, but I think that Chelsea will just have a bit too much quality for them, so I'm going to go for a 2-0 win for the Blues.
I'm sure you've already seen our preview for tonight's match, but if you haven't then there's still time to check it out, with kick off now five minutes away.
KICKOFF! We are underway at The Hawthorns!
Chelsea have seen a lot of the ball in these opening minutes, but they haven't really shown any threat in the final third. It looks like the hosts are set up to play on the counter attack and they do have a bit of pace to worry the Blues defence.
CHANCE! It's West Brom who create the first opening of the night, as McManaman drives past Luis down the left and fires in a low strike that forces Courtois to turn the ball behind for a corner.
SHOT! From the resulting corner, the Blues clear the ball and break quickly with Fabregas leading the charge. It was then fed to Loftus-Cheek who saw his shot blocked, before falling kindly into the path of Fabregas, who then fired in an effort from a tight angle that was saved by Myhill.
GOAL! West Brom 1-0 Chelsea (Saido Berahino)
What a fantastic start this is for West Brom, who take the lead thanks to a goal of the highest quality from Berahino. The striker was found by Lescott's pass just outside the box and he allowed the ball to run across him, before bending a wonderful strike into the bottom corner and out of the reach of Courtois.
Chelsea are looking for a quick response and they are pressing West Brom back deep inside their own half. They are working the ball around well between their forward players, but so far the Albion defence are holding firm.
It's going to be a big ask for West Brom to hang onto this lead for the remainder of the match, as they are inviting Chelsea to come onto them. Berahino could have his work cut out chasing long balls down the flanks, but it's his great strike that has made the difference this evening.
The game has become slightly fractured in the past few minutes, with Yacob and Matic both receiving some treatment for a couple of knocks. They each seem fine to continue and we are now back underway.
The Blues are playing very narrow at the moment and they keep trying to find a way through the middle of the pitch. It is not quite working for them so far, with West Brom staying compact and allowing them little space and time on the ball.
CHANCE! Massive chance for Chelsea to score, as Costa charges down the left following another quick break. He then drives to the byline and whips in a low cross that is met by Hazarz, but the Belgian's close-range effort takes a deflection and ends up heading over the bar.
RED CARD TO CHELSEA! A huge fracas breaks out between both sets of players, with Costa initially involved in an off-the-ball scuffle with McAuley. The referee then books Costa, but as all the players crowd around the referee, Fabregas kicks the ball straight into Brunt's face and is then shown a red card. It's a strange moment in the game and it means that Chelsea now have to come from behind with 10 men.
I really did not see anyone getting sent off this evening and there was no indication as to what was about to unfold. Fabregas is far too experienced to get involved in that type of incident, while Costa was probably lucky not to be sent off.
The pattern of the game has not changed much since the red card, with Chelsea still seeing all of the ball. It's going to be a lot harder for them to break down the West Brom defence now, with their primary creator off the pitch.
YELLOW CARD! Olsson is booked for hauling down Costa just outside the box. It has given Chelsea a free kick in a wonderful position and Hazard and Luis are standing over the ball.
SAVE! It's Luis who fires in the free kick, but it is at a good height for Myhill, who beats the ball to safety.
SAVE! Down the other end of the pitch West Brom create a huge chance to double their lead. Brunt is slid through by Morrison's pass, but his first-time strike is saved by Courtois, who was quick off his line to close down the angle.
Very good spell of possession from West Brom, who keep the ball well inside the Chelsea half and get the crowd cheering every pass. It comes to an end when Yacob fires wildly over the bar, but they are looking the better team as we approach half time.
We're going to have three minutes of stoppage time.
HALF-TIME: West Brom 1-0 Chelsea
It's half time at The Hawthorns and West Brom have the lead against the champions thanks to Saido Berahino's fine strike. Cesc Fabregas also saw red after kicking the ball at the face of Chris Brunt, leaving Chelsea with an uphill struggle in the second half.
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Despite being behind, Chelsea have seen all of the ball and have racked up 58% of the possession. They also had a couple more shots on goal than their opponents, with seven efforts compared to five from the Baggies, but it's the hosts who have created the more promising openings and have the vital goal.
The Blues really can have no complaints about the red card that Cesc Fabregas received. He knew exactly what he was doing when he kicked the ball at Brunt and he was quite far away from the West Brom player when he made contact. He could now be set for a three-match ban and will definitely miss their final match of the season against Sunderland next weekend.
2 - Tonight is only Cesc Fabregas's second PL red card. The first came for Arsenal at Everton in January 2006. Fling.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 18, 2015
Right, the players have made their way back out for the second half, which will be getting underway in just a few moments.
West Brom take the kick off and get the second half started.
PENALTY TO WEST BROM! West Brom made a great start to the first half and they have been awarded a penalty in the opening minute of the second. Berahino is brought down inside the box following a rash challenge from Terry and he now has the chance to double his side's lead.
GOAL! West Brom 2-0 Chelsea (Saido Berahino)
Berahino takes the penalty and makes no mistake with a low finish into the corner, that had just enough power to beat Courtois. It's a disastrous start to the half for Chelsea and they now have a mountain to climb to get anything from the match.
The Blues look shell shocked by that goal, but they haven't been able to muster a response yet. They are in charge of the possession and are seeing the ball in some dangerous areas, but they are still struggling to get in behind the home side's defence.
SUBSTITUTION: First change of the match for the Baggies, as Gardner comes on to replace McManaman.
OFF THE POST! This is about as close as Chelsea have come to a goal. Some patient build up sees Remy found on the the edge of the box and he wriggles past a couple of challenges, before bending in a fierce strike that looks headed for the bottom corner, but instead comes crashing off the post with Myhill left stranded.
GOAL! West Brom 3-0 Chelsea (Chris Brunt)
West Brom are in dreamland as they open up a three-goal lead against the champions! It's a poor goal for the Blues to concede as Brunt plays a corner short to Gardner and receives the return pass, before cutting inside and drilling in a low strike that beats Courtois at his near post. He was awarded far too much time and space to shoot, but Albion won't care one bit as they are now heading towards a famous victory.
YELLOW CARD! Gardner hasn't been on for too long, but he picks up a card for a heavy tackle on Costa.
SUBSTITUTION: Costa was fortunate not to be sent off earlier in the match, but he does leave the pitch now and is replaced by Cuadrado.
It's hard to see a way back into the match for Chelsea and they have not created too many decent chances. One goal now in the next few minutes could spark them into life, although Pulis will ensure that his players don't give anything away cheaply.
SUBSTITUTION: Chelsea are making their second change of the match, with Ake replacing Loftus-Cheek.
SAVE! Chelsea really should have pulled a goal back here. From a corner, Matic latches onto a flick at the back post and looks to have the simple task of slotting the ball in from a couple of yards out, but somehow his effort is denied by a fine block from Myhill.
SHOT! Half a chance for Berahino to complete his hat trick, as he is found in space just outside the box. He then looks to bend one into the corner, but he gets the strike all wrong and hammers the ball high into the stands.
SUBSTITUTION: This is a big moment for Izzy Brown, who comes on to make his debut for Chelsea against his former club, with Remy making way.
SUBSTITUTION: West Brom are also making a change, with Berahino being replaced by Ideye.
YELLOW CARD! Cuadrado is booked by the referee for a late challenge on Lescott.
It doesn't look like Chelsea will be getting on the scoresheet this evening, but West Brom still look a threat. They have been great on the counter all evening and they really do deserve the three points for their efforts.
SUBSTITUTION: Third and final change for the Baggies, as Baird comes on for Morrison.
SHOT! It still won't go in for Chelsea, as Matic curls a free kick over the bar. There will also be three minutes of stoppage time for the Blues to endure.
FULL-TIME: West Brom 3-0 Chelsea
The final whistle blows at The Hawthorns and West Brom have recorded a superb 3-0 victory over Chelsea this evening. The Baggies put in a fine display and fully deserve the points. It has ended Chelsea's long-unbeaten run and they are no longer able to reach 90 points in the league this season.
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Well, that just about does it for tonight's coverage. I'll be back in a bit to bring you analysis and player ratings of the match, so make sure you stick around for that. Until then, goodbye!
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
