Reuters
London, August 23: Pedro scored a debut goal as champions Chelsea got their stuttering Premier League campaign off the ground with an entertaining 3-2 victory against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns Sunday.
Chelsea, who had taken one point from their opening two matches, were indebted to Thibaut Courtois who saved James Morrison’s early penalty before Pedro, signed this week from Barcelona, poked home in the 20th minute.
Diego Costa converted Pedro’s shot in the 30th minute, Morrison atoned for his earlier penalty miss to pull a goal back five minutes later before Cesar Azpilicueta restored Chelsea’s two-goal cushion in the 42nd minute.
John Terry, who was substituted for the first time ever under Jose Mourinho during last week’s loss to Manchester City, was dismissed for bringing down Salomon Rondon and though Morrison added his second, Chelsea held on to register their first victory of the season.
Following their poor start to the season Chelsea started nervously and seemed destined to fall behind when Nemanja Matic brought down Callum McManaman. But Morrison’s penalty, straight down the middle, was saved by the returning Courtois.
Sparked by that early scare Chelsea settled into their passing rhythm with Eden Hazard linking up with Pedro before the Spaniard squirmed a shot inside the post.
Pedro was then the architect of the second with his angled shot turned in by Costa 10 minutes later.
Morrison fired home through a melee of bodies to halt Chelsea’s momentum before Azpilicueta netted his first Premier League goal three minutes before halftime.
Without Terry, Chelsea were vulnerable and Morrison guided a header past Courtois five minutes later to set up a tense final 30 minutes.
Thereafter the hosts laid siege to Chelsea’s goal but the champions held firm.