By Jemma Tappenden
December 6 2008

It was top versus bottom this afternoon as Chelsea visited the Hawthorns, a massive 18 points separating the teams before kick off. Mowbray was boosted by the return of Abdoulaye Meite in defence after an 11 week absence, and Morrison who had been sidelined by a back injury. Kim and Donk were the men to make way. Chelsea were also without key players for this fixture.

Despite the huge gap between the two clubs it was the Baggies who rose to the early challenge.  Within the first minute Morrison latched onto Koren's threaded ball to send Cudicini an early warning message as his effort flew just inches over the bar.

In the 8th minute Valero found space on the edge of the box, to send a 20 yard effort harmlessly wide of the target.  Albion continued to press and in the 15th minute, with Chelsea having had no clear efforts on goal, Valero again got in on the action as he nutmegged Mikel to play in Miller.  The shot come cross from Miller dribbled across the face of goal, yet despite lacking pace still avoided the incoming Bednar at the far post.

In the 17th minute Chelsea finally recorded their first effort on goal, Kalou receiving Lampards pass on the edge of the area and squeezing in a shot despite the pressure from Paul Robinson.  Just moments later a second effort was recorded as Malouda released a 25 yard effort which failed to trouble Carson.

In the 22nd minute Chelsea put the Baggies under real threat for the first time in the game, Malouda placing a perfect ball into the path of Lampard.  Lampard sailed unchallenged into the box, but placed his effort into the arms of Carson, who couldn't hold the ball but did well to divert the danger away from goal.

As the half drew to a close Chelsea started to enjoy some decent possession, but with very little to show for it.  Albion enjoyed a rare break as Cudicini did well to clutch onto Miller's cross to deny Valero a simple tap in.

Up until this point Albion had done well to contain Chelsea.  But in the 34th minute Bosingwa cut in from 25 yards out, unleashing a ferocious effort which Carson misjudged and tipped onto the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

Moments later only a last gasp challenge from Olsson prevented Malouda troubling Carson.  A brief reprieve saw Cudicini clear a half chance from the Baggies as Koren had tried a long range effort, but just four minutes after the first Chelsea scored a second.

Meite's clearance was headed back over him by Malouda into Anelka's path, who sped into the box to slot over Carson with little effort.  To add to the misery of the half Anelka added his second and Chelsea's third as the half drew to a close.  Kalou paced up the field and coolly slotted to Anelka to allow the ex Arsenal Man to hit home at the far post.

Half Time: West Bromwich Albion 0-3 Chelsea

Bednar made way for Kim at the break, but it was the Baggies defence called into early action as Malouda threaded through by Lampard, was thwarted by a scooping save from Carson before he could get his shot away.  Further last gasp challenges from Robinson and Olsson denied Deco and Anelka to keep the damage at 3-0.

In the 59th minute Albion suffered an injury blow as Morrison was cut down by Bosingwa.  The Chelsea man was booked and Teixeira came on for Morrison making his first Hawthorns appearance in many months.  Within moments of entering the field of play the Portuguese substitute had the Albion crowd on their feet, but he was wide with an 18 yard effort.

Albion were lucky to not give away a fourth goal in the 74th minute when Malouda screwed his shot wide at the far post.  John Terry, making his 250th Premier League appearance thwarted Olsson as he headed Teixeira's free kick in the 79th minute.

But Chelsea had done enough, and were quite happy to pass and play and see out the half, as the Premiership's top side played out the remaining minutes to keep the Baggies bottom.

Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 3-0 Chelsea

Bosingwa (34)

Anelka (38 & 45)

Attendance: 26,322