Chelsea Starts Title Defense; Beats West Bromwich Albion 6-0

Chelsea this afternoon began her premiership title defense on a bright note by beating newly promoted West Bromwich Albion by 6-0, in a match that could best be described as one-sided game. Thus, the defending champions have sent a warning to other clubs, of their preparedness to defend the title which they won last season.

The defending champions lost their three pre-season friendly matches, and also lost to Manchester United on Sunday, 8th August 2010, the Community Shield they won last year. A lot of soccer pundits had wondered if the Blues stood any chance of doing well this season.

Today’s match has proven that Chelsea is back with a new spirit and has shaken off her pre-season woeful performances and is ready to face business. It took the defending champions only 6 minutes to draw the first blood. Didier Drogba took a free kick from outside the 18 yard box, but Florent Malouda was fast enough to beat the West Bromwich’s goal keeper to the ball and neatly converted the ball into the net.

In the 11th minute, Dorrans’ hot shot was parried by Petr Cech for a corner kick. The West Bromwich players got another corner kick barely three minutes after that, but it was wasted.

In the 19th minute, West Bromwich Albion’s goal was cancelled because the assistant referee’s flag had gone up for an offside before the shot was taken. Chelsea completely took over the field of play, mesmerizing the spectators with their fantastic display, dribbling skills, ball possession, shots, etc.

The Blues got their first corner kick in the 35th minute, but its impact was not felt. But in the 40th minute, Frank Lampard’s free kick was parried by the Visiting goal keeper; the rebound was nodded over the bar by Florent malouda.

Didier Drogba’ free kick in the 45th minute beat the goal keeper hands down to increase Chelsea’s goal tally to 2. The first half ended 2-0 in favour of the host, who were superior in all aspects of the game.

In the 55th minute, Chelsea got a corner kick which was taken by Florent malouda. A goal mouth scramble ensued; and it was Drogba who finally had the final laugh as he pushed the ball past West Bromwich Albion’s defenders for his second goal and the third for his side. The newly promoted team tried to fight back, but the hosts were far too strong for them.

Paulo Ferreira got replaced with Ivanovic in the 60th minute. In the 63rd minute, Frank Lampard cleverly collected Ashley Cole’s pass, shooting it beyond the goal keeper’s reach for Chelsea’s 4th goal.

Yossi Benayoun replaced Frank Lampard in the 64th minute. In the 68th minute however, Drogba’s terrific shot from outside the 18 yard box got him a hat trick and the 5th goal for his side. It became very clear that the visitors had lost the game, and also by a wide margin.

Gilles Barnes replaced Jerome Thomas in the 84th minute. The visitors also got a corner kick in the 87th minute but it just couldn’t change anything.

Florent Malouda finally wrapped up victory for the defending champions in the 90th minute, to make sure the Blues collected the three points at stake. Chelsea now sits at the top of the premiership table with 3 points and 6 goals. Didier Drogba’s hat trick now makes him the leading goal scorer just after a match. He was the highest goal scorer last season, with 29 goals.