Chelsea 2 West Brom 2: Baggies fight back to frustrate the champions

The improvement in performances has been marked however, although West Brom manager Tony Pulis had launched a spirited defence of Hiddink’s predecessor Jose Mourinho, insisting before the game it was disrespectful to suggest Chelsea’s transformation was exclusively down to the change in manager.

Diego Costa has been passed fit after picking up a minor knock on Sunday, while Loic Remy makes a timely return to help bolster the attacking ranks after re-joining the group this week.

West Brom also go into this game high on confidence however, having won their last two Premier League games, and faring rather well against the big boys so far this season, beating Arsenal and holding Liverpool to a draw at Anfield.

But there was to be one final twist as McClean curled home a precise effort with his weaker right foot from 20 yards to earn his side a point and leave Chelsea frustrated.

It proved a timely equaliser for West Brom, too, as the away side saw out the remainder of the half probing Chelsea’s half with no small share of the chances in front of goal.

Just when the Baggies looked to find some momentum for the first time, Chelsea found a way through somewhat against the run of play when Cesar Azpilicueta tapped home with the simplest of finishes at the end of a Branislav Ivanovic cross.

It was his second goal of the season, the other being the victor in the 3-2 victory at The Hawthorns back in August.

Willian crossed and in his desperation to prevent the Brazilian from scoring, Gareth McAuley put the ball into his own net.

A 15 minute break had seemingly done little to calm Costa and he collected a deserved booking at the start of the second-half for a late lunge on Gardner. Costa has had a hand in three goals (two goals, one assist) in three top-flight encounters against West Brom.

Taylor only gave a free-kick and Pulis wisely replaced the Argentinian with Saido Berahino straight afterwards.

Substitute Kennedy almost restored Chelsea’s lead in the 57th minute, as he forced Boas Myhill into a fine save the near post, after being teed up by Oscar.

An improved Blues side dropped yet more points on home soil after twice taking the lead, with a battling Albion side refusing to accept defeat and digging deep for a result which keeps them above the fallen champions in 13th place.

However, West Brom managed to level matters in the 86th minute as a loose ball fell to James McClean on the edge of the box and the winger placed the ball into the bottom corner with Courtois well beaten.

Albion (4-5-1): Myhill; Dawson, Olsson, McAuley, Evans, Brunt, Yacob (Berahino 59), Morrison (Gardner 7), McClean, Fletcher (c), Rondon (Sessegnon 67).