Chelsea missed the chance to go four points clear at the top after they were held 1-1 away at Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion.
The Blues have been in a rich vain of form, winning nine and drawing two of their last eleven fixtures and overtaking both Arsenal and Manchester City to go top of the Barclays Premier League.
This fixture saw them pitted against a side currently rebuilding after the recent appointment of Pepe Mel, but the Baggies do have an impressive record against the top sides this season having beaten Manchester United away and holding Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal to draws in spite of their precarious league position. Despite being favourites, this proved to be a difficult match for Mourinho’s men.
Contrary to what we have seen from Mourinho’s side of late, the Blues build up was slow in the first half and they were unable to penetrate the Baggies’ defence. The attacking force of Hazard, Oscar, Willian and Eto’o looked tired and unable to work the magic we have seen them produce recently.
However, when Branislav Ivanovic tapped in following Luiz’s flick from a corner on the stroke of half-time, it looked as though Chelsea would get the kind of scrappy one-goal win that often defines champions. It was the Serbian’s second goal in three games following his winner at Manchester City, as well as an assist for Eden Hazard against Newcastle.
The second half saw West Brom and Chelsea muster up 12 and 15 shots respectively but it was a game that lacked clear cut opportunities for either side to tuck away.
Chelsea seemed to invite pressure onto themselves as the half progressed, which was proven by Mourinho’s decision to replace Oscar with the more defensively minded Obi Mikel. Chelsea dropped deeper and deeper into their own half as the Hawthorns faithful grew louder and started to believe that the Blues were there for the taking.
Chelsea were effectively playing with 10 men as the injured Gary Cahill came back onto the pitch following treatment, and he was unable to jump for the cross that saw Victor Anichebe equalize with his head, this with the Baggies’ only attempt on target during the game. The sucker-punch came in the 87th minute, meaning the substitution that saw Salah replace Ramires could have little effect.
West Brom 1-1 Chelsea: More midweek fustration
The draw may back up Mourinho’s claim that Chelsea are “little horses” in the title race and not ready to win the Premier League yet.
“For 60mins only one team. And that team couldn’t kill the game. For 10mins, game was poor.And for the last 20mins only one team.A ready team, a complete team, kills this game”
Chelsea are still top the league and are ahead of Arsenal by two points, who host Manchester United tomorrow (Wednesday) evening. Worst case scenario, Chelsea are one point off the top come 10PM Wednesday night.
Tonight’s result sees Chelsea fail to beat West Brom again, a repeat of earlier in the season, where the Blues were very lucky to get a point. Chelsea also suffered a 2-1 defeat at the Hawthorns last season. West Brom still search for their first win under Pepe Mel.
Blues fans are yet to see Mohamed Salah make his full debut, although he may get his chance when Chelsea travel to the Etihad yet again for the FA Cup fifth round tie. John Terry was absent through injury again and his return has yet to be announced by the Chelsea manager.
