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Player Ratings: Chelsea 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

Sports Mole rates the performances of the players on show during Chelsea's 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.

Two goals in the first half from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard sealed a routine 2-0 victory for Premier League leaders Chelsea against West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.

The away side's misery was then compounded in just the 29th minute when their Argentine midfielder Claudio Yacob was handed a red for a two-footed lunge on Costa.

Here, Sports Mole has rated the performances of all of the players on show at Stamford Bridge.


CHELSEA

Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea hugs Eden Hazard of Chelsea after he scored their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on November 22, 2014© Getty Images

Goal

Thibaut Courtois: The Belgian could have sat in the stands behind the goal with the Chelsea spectators. He had virtually nothing to do all afternoon. (6/10)

Defence

Cesar Azpilicueta: A relatively quiet afternoon for the left-back, who got forward well at times to support the likes of Hazard down his flank. (6/10)

John Terry: The skipper was more involved in the West Brom box than he was in Chelsea's. He could have scored twice, but saw his efforts well saved. (6/10)

Gary Cahill: Like his centre-back partner, Cahill had no defending to do of any note. (6/10)

Branislav Ivanovic: With largely no defending to do, the shackles were off the Serbian, who loves nothing better than to get forward. His final ball let him down on occasions, but he was still a danger. (7/10)

Midfield

Nemanja Matic: Although primarily seen as a destroyer, when given time today the Serbian showed that he has a real eye for a pass. (7/10)

Cesc Fabregas: There were doubts over Fabregas's fitness heading into this game and that may have been the reason behind his quiet performance. He was by no means poor, but such are the standards that he has set, it is noticeable when he does not shine. (6/10)

Willian: It is clear why the Brazilian is so popular with his manager because most of the time when his side lost possession, he went and won it back. He always kept things simple. (6/10)

Oscar: He may not hog the headlines like some of his teammates, but there is a real touch of class about everything thatOscar does with the ball at his feet. It was his quickly-taken corner that assisted Hazard for the second goal. (7/10)

Eden Hazard: Worryingly for Chelsea's rivals, Hazard seems to be getting better and better. During the first half he terrorised the West Brom defence, who could not cope with his speed and trickery. (8/10)

Attack

Diego Costa: Another goal for the Spaniard, who looked sharp and free of injury. His movement off the ball caused problems all afternoon and he will probably feel that he should have had at least a hat-trick. (7/10)

Substitutes

Loic Remy: Back from injury, Remy would have been desperate to make an impression, but he struggled to get on the ball. (6/10)

Didier Drogba: The veteran's introduction five minutes from the end lifted the crowd, but he did not get a chance to score the game's third goal. (6/10)

Ramires: Brought on with a couple of minutes left to play and did not touch the ball. (5/10)


WEST BROM

Referee Lee Mason shows Claudio Yacob of West Brom a red card during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on November 22, 2014© Getty Images

Goal

Ben Foster: He may have been on the losing side, but Foster was the best player on the pitch. He could do nothing with either goal and then went on to keep Chelsea at bay almost on his own. (9/10)

Defence

Andre Wisdom: The Liverpool loanee played Costa onside for the first goal, but put in a steady performance after that in an unfamiliar left-back position. (6/10)

Craig Dawson: At times he looked out of his depth, but Dawson still made some crucial interceptions and clearances to alleviate the pressure on his team. (7/10)

Joleon Lescott: For all of his experience at club and international level, Lescott really struggled today. He could not contend with the movement of the Chelsea front players. (4/10)

Chris Baird: This was never going to be the easiest game in which to make your first Premier League start of the season, and so it proved for Baird. He looked a little off the pace against a lively home attack. (5/10)

Midfield

Claudio Yacob: The Argentine had already made one or two late challenges when he went flying into Costa with both feet to get sent off with just 29 minutes played. He let his teammates down badly,. (3/10)

Craig Gardner: With Yacob gone, Gardner had to do the work of two players. He did well in that sense, but saw very little of the ball. (6/10)

Chris Brunt: Similar to his teammate Gardner in that a lot of his creative qualities were restricted by the red card. His shot from 50 yards during the second half was certainly one to forget. (6/10)

Graham Dorrans: Again, just like his fellow midfielders, he was badly nullified. Having said that, he did put in a good shift for the cause, (6/10)

Stephane Sessegnon: Before the start of the match, it was anticipated that Sessegnon might cause Chelsea some problems going forward, but he had to spend most of his afternoon defending. (5/10)

Attack

Saido Berahino: The young striker would have been relishing the chance to pit his wits against the Chelsea backline. As it was, when his side went down to 10 men, he barely got a touch. (6/10)

Substitutes

Cristian Gamboa: The Costa Rica international came on to replace Baird, but the game had lost a lot of momentum by then so he did not have too much to do. (6/10)

Victor Anichebe: The substitute used his physical presence on a couple of occasions, but he was always lacking support when he needed it most. (6/10)

James Morrison: He worked hard during the time that he was on the pitch, but was rarely in possession. (6/10)


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Diego Costa of Chelsea scores the opening goal under pressure from Joleon Lescott of West Brom during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on November 22, 2014
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