DIEGO COSTA SCORED his 11th goal in 10 top-flight games and Eden Hazard was also on target in the first half at Stamford Bridge to give Jose Mourinho’s side their sixth consecutive home Premier League win.
West Brom had struggled to live with the London club even before Claudio Yacob was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Costa, when he won the ball but appeared to go in with two feet.
Chelsea were in complete control throughout as they caused Alan Irvine’s side all sorts of problems in a one-sided encounter that saw the home side extend their lead over second-placed Southampton, who play Aston Villa on Monday.
West Brom were caught napping when Chelsea took a short corner in the fifth minute, but Ben Foster produced a fine save with his feet to deny John Terry from close range after Hazard had picked the captain out.
Foster was unable to prevent the hosts taking the lead six minutes later, though, as Oscar picked out the unmarked Costa with a fine cross from the left and the striker showed great composure to control the ball on his chest and volley beyond the England goalkeeper. West Brom appealed for offside, but Andre Wisdom appeared to keep Costa onside.
West Brom were again made to pay for more dreadful defending after 25 minutes, when Fabregas rolled a corner to the unmarked Hazard and the Belgium winger was allowed far too much time to take a touch and fire under Foster. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors four minutes later, as Yacob was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Costa when he got the ball first, but referee Lee Mason deemed the tackle to be dangerous.
Nemanja Matic ought to have added a third goal just after half-time, but volleyed over from inside the six-yard box after he was left unmarked. It was a case of damage limitation for Albion and Ivanovic could only tamely volley wide of the far post as Chelsea attempted to enhance their goal difference, but the two first-half efforts proved sufficient as the hosts again showed why they are such strong favourites to win the title.
