Chelsea have moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table after cruising to a 2-0 win over 10-man West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.
Early goals from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard helped the Blues into a healthy lead in a half that also saw Claudio Yacob given a straight red card.
Consequently, the West Londoners extend their lead over second-placed Southampton - who have a game in hand - and maintain their 12-game unbeaten run in the Premier League in the process.
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The Baggies went into the clash hoping to end a 36-year winless run at Stamford Bridge, but Jose Mourinho's side made inroads toward protecting that streak early on when captain John Terry forced Ben Foster into a point-blank save after four minutes.
Chances were at a premium for the visitors, but Stephane Sessegnon looked to justify his inclusion in the first XI with a 30-yard strike that sailed well wide of the target.
Mourinho's side continued to threaten and their dominance paid off on 11 minutes, as Costa beat the offside trap to control a lofted cross from Oscar on his chest before nonchalantly side-footing past Foster for his 11th league goal of the season.
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It was very nearly two just minutes later when Foster beat away Oscar's outside-of-the-boot shot, but no Chelsea player was on hand to convert the rebound.
Having kept the scoreline to a minimum, Foster then found himself culpable for Chelsea's second goal on 25 minutes. Hazard wandered into the area unmarked to pick up a short corner, before firing at goal and, despite getting a firm hand on it, Foster failed to keep it out.
Things went from bad to worse for West Brom just three minutes later when Yacob was given a straight red card by referee Lee Mason for a challenge on Costa.
The second half was barely a minute old when the hosts missed a chance to add a third, with Nemanja Matic volleying over the crossbar from close range.
Having been thwarted by Foster in the first half, Terry was denied by his ex-England colleague once more on 50 minutes as he watched his close-range header palmed away.
Chelsea continued to toil in the final third but struggled to put West Brom to the sword, with Irvine's men standing firm at the back to lose by just the two goals in the end.
Shane Callaghan
