MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 07:29:32| >> :120:27007:27007:

Half-Time Report: Diego Costa, Eden Hazard on target against 10-man West Bromwich Albion

First-half goals from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard help Chelsea into a 2-0 lead over West Brom in a first half that also saw Claudio Yacob sent off for the visitors.

Diego Costa and Eden Hazard have both struck first-half goals to help Chelsea into a comfortable 2-0 half-time lead over 10-man West Bromwich Albion.

Diego Costa of Chelsea scores the opening goal under pressure from Joleon Lescott of West Brom during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on November 22, 2014© Getty Images

The Baggies went into the clash hoping to end a 36-year winless run at Stamford Bridge.

However, 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.

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 single-handedly kept the scoreline to a minimum, the England goalkeeper then found himself culpable for Chelsea's second goal on 25 minutes.

Hazard wandered into the area unmarked to pick up a short Cesc Fabregas corner, before firing at goal but, 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 Claudio Yacob was given a straight red card by referee Lee Mason for a challenge on Costa.

Alan Irvine's side weathered plenty of pressure from Chelsea in the latter stages of the half but the visitors held on to maintain the two-goal deficit.

ID:189453: cacheID:189453:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4185:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea celebrates with Loic Remy as he scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on October 18, 2014
Read Next:
Team News: Costa, Fabregas start for Chelsea
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!