Chelsea roared back to the top of the table on Saturday evening as they eased to a 3-0 victory at West Brom.
Anelka brace helps lift Chelsea back to the summit
Chelsea roared back to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday evening as they eased to a 3-0 victory away at rock-bottom West Brom.
Portuguese full-back Jose Bosingwa opened the scoring for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, before Nicolas Anelka wrapped up the points with a brace before the interval.
The hosts had begun the game in positive fashion, with James Morrison and Ishmael Miller both going close to opening the scoring.
However, it would Bosingwa who forced the breakthrough on 34 minutes when his speculative drive from 25 yards evaded the clutches of Scott Carson and nestled into the top corner.
Chelsea were now rampant and extended their advantage just four minutes later when Anelka raced clear to finish with aplomb.
The Frenchman, who currently tops the Premier League scoring charts, then claimed his second goal of the contest in first half injury-time when he coolly beat Carson at his near post.
The Blues had numerous opportunities to stretch their lead after the break but, with the result already beyond doubt, they were ultimately let down by some wayward finishing.
Promise
Albion showed plenty of promise in the opening half hour and knocked the ball around in the style demanded by manager Tony Mowbray.
The first decent chance even fell to West Brom after a powerful 50-yard run by Borja Valero.
He reached the edge of the box before picking out the run of Miller but the former Manchester City striker dragged his shot across the face of goal.
The visitors, though, then started to find more space near the Albion goal and the home side were indebted to Carson for keeping them on level terms.
Florent Malouda's first time ball was perfectly weighted for the run of Frank Lampard into the inside left channel and his powerful drive was beat out by the England goalkeeper.
Carson was tested for the second time in turning away a swerving drive from Malouda after he had advanced towards the box unchallenged.
But out of nothing a superb strike from Bosingwa gave the Blues the lead after 34 minutes.
There appeared to be little danger, but Bosingwa suddenly unleashed a powerful left-footed drive from 30 yards out which Carson got a hand to but could not prevent from crossing the line.
Stunned
Albion were stunned and it needed a fine tackle from Jonas Olsson to deny Malouda as he lined up a shot inside the area.
But after 38 minutes Anelka doubled Chelsea's lead, seizing Malouda's headed pass and racing into the area to beat an exposed Carson.
Chelsea now threatened every time they ventured forward and in first-half injury-time Anelka struck again, beating Carson from a narrow angle with Kalou this time the provider.
The Blues were soon back on the offensive after the interval and Carson managed to block an effort from a narrow angle by Malouda.
Anelka had the chance to go for his hat-trick when in space 15 yards out but he unselfishly attempted to tee up Deco, who was denied by a last-gasp tackle from Paul Robinson.
The Chelsea players were now queuing up to take shots at goal and Abdoulaye Meite threw himself in front of a shot from Anelka.
Filipe Teixeira almost made an immediate impact after stepping off the bench for the Baggies, but the Portuguese playmaker's late curling shot was inches too high.
| West Bromwich Albion |
Team Statistics |
Chelsea |
| 0 |
Goals |
3 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
3 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
6 |
| 10 |
Shots off Target |
7 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
6 |
| 3 |
Corners |
10 |
| 9 |
Fouls |
9 |
| 0 |
Offsides |
5 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
3 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 78.6 |
Passing Success |
87.6 |
| 14 |
Tackles |
24 |
| 78.6 |
Tackles Success |
70.8 |
| 37.9 |
Possession |
62.1 |
| 50.8 |
Territorial Advantage |
49.2 |
|
