Ten-man Chelsea edged West Bromwich Albion 2-1 in an ill-tempered match at the Hawthorns in the Premiership on Saturday. Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba opened the score for Chelsea early in the second-half before England international Joe Cole doubled the lead midway through the second period. Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu pulled one back for the hosts two minutes before the final whistle but is was not enough to salvage a point for West Bromwich. Chelsea's Dutch winger Arjen Robben was shown a straight red card two minutes past the hour mark after a reckless challenge on Jonathan Greening.
Kanu - file photo The Blues are on the verge of retaining their title as they sit comfortably on top of the Premiership table with 72 points, 18 ahead of second-place Manchester United, who play Wigan Athletic on Monday. Drogba netted his first goal since returning from the African Cup of Nations in the 51st minute when he outpaced two defenders on the edge of the box before firing a low bullet past West Bromwich keeper Tomasz Kuszczak. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho sarcastically applauded referee Mark Halsey's decision to send off Robben in the 62nd minute before involving in an angry exchange with West Bromwich coach Bryan Robson. Cole put Chelsea two up in the 74th minute after he sent a close-range shot that bounced off the ground and went into the back of the net. Substitute Kanu scored the consolation goal for the hosts in the 88th minute when he connected with Paul Robinson's cross at the near post to slot home past Petr Cech.
