Pre match standings- WBA 8th/ 45pts : Chelsea 1st/ 84pts.
After Tottenhams 1 -0 away defeat at West Ham and then Chelsea''s 3-0 win at home to Middlesbrough, this match could bring the 3 points Chelsea need to win the title. Draw or lose and Spurs are still in with an unlikely shout. The Hawthorns was more or less at capacity for this visit of the champions elect. The Chelsea fans in their side of the Smethwick End wanted to see the win they required. The rest of the crowd wanted to spoil the party. I say the rest of the crowd-in fact there were a lot more Chelsea fans dotted about in amongst the home fans though they were a bit more discreet. The Baggies came close in the first minute when a Rondon header looped towards the Chelsea goal. Probably more by luck than judgement but it required a fine save from Courtois to keep it out either way. West Brom frustrated Chelsea, particularly Hazard, all through the game and had a few good chances, from Chadli and Rondon, to take all 3 points themselves. Chelsea also had opportunities from Hazard, Pedro and Fabregas but the home defence stayed strong. With time ticking away Blues boss Antonio Conte threw on Michy Batshuiya. On 82 minutes Gary Cahill attempted a shot from the edge of the area which was so wide it was heading for the corner flag. The always enthusiastic Ceasar Azpilicueta managed to keep the ball in play and drive it back in to the Baggies 6 yard box where an on-rushing Batshuiya dinked it into the left hand corner of the goal. The Chelsea fans behind the goal were delirious. The team were delirious. Conte was even more delirious than usual, if that''s possible. This is what they''d come to do and after 82 frustrating minutes the tension had been broken. Sadly some trouble broke out in the Brummy Rd End when a small pocket of Chelsea fans could no longer keep their secret. A few pitch invaders as well but it was all dealt with fairly quickly and it was nothing too serious. The scenes at the final whistle were well worth watching and to be fair most of the Baggies fans showed their appreciation to both their own team and the new Prem Champions. A good game and a fantastic atmosphere.
End of season 16/17 :- WBA finished 10th on 45 points: Chelsea finished as Champions on 93 points. Chelsea lost 2-1 to Arsenal in the FA Cup Final.
Warren Stephens
61
Darthjames27
59
DBishop17
26
WorcesterSevern
20
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