Chelsea on holiday already or just not our night?
Imperious for the main part of the season, it is hard to get back to your peak once you have taken your foot off the gas. Yet do you moan at the time on the ball gifted in the build up and the space allowed for Berahino to pick his spot or was it just a wonderful effort out of nothing? Is John Terry, faultless all season long, to blame for clumsily fouling Berahino for the penalty or was Thibaut Courtois desperately unlucky for not saving it? The third unfortunately cannot be disputed, with the exception of Filipe Luis the remainder of the ten left on the field were slow out to the ball, giving Brunt all the time in the world to shoot. Lets not forget Remy’s effort that was inches away from finding the bottom of the net when it was just 2-0.
Costa a true warrior
Half a yard off the pace and puffing after an hour of play, Costa looked slightly rusty. Only time will tell if Diego can last a full season with his hamstrings a weakness in his armoury. But one thing that Costa will always give is his upmost best. West Brom lined up with four centre-backs and Costa made sure he would fight each one toe-to-toe, taking a few blows in the process to say the least. As usual the Brazilian-born forward was not to be deterred and he continued to run the channels and test the opposing defence.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek one for the future
No need to pay a potentially world record fee for Paul Pogba when someone of a similar stature and skill is emerging from our academy, and Mourinho knows it. Starting his second game Premier League game, Loftus-Cheek looked assured in possession and even at the tender age of 19, strong. The 6’3” midfielder breezed past Fletcher and Morrison giving Chelsea fans a glimpse of what is to come in the future. On what was a disastrous night for the blues, only mitigated by the fact we are already champions, Loftus-Cheek’s performance is something of a positive to gather. One small criticism is that he played it safe on the ball, but confidence will come in time.
Tony Pulis a mid-table master
West Brom’s performance on the night epitomised a Tony Pulis team; well drilled and organised, defending from the front and physically imposing. Pulis achieving safety for his team is almost a given and on the night a lacklustre Chelsea proved ineffective in breaking down a sea of stripes. It will be interesting to see if the man in the cap can take West Brom to the next level like Mark Hughes has done with Stoke.
