Chelsea down West Brom 3-1

Lampard, Drogba, Malouda strike as Chelsea down West Brom 3-1 in EPL

Chelsea put their recent troubles behind them as Salomon Kalou, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard scored in a 3-1 win over West Brom here Saturday. Chelsea played with a clinical swagger not seen since early in the 2010-11 Premier League campaign and the result was the perfect tonic to ease the pain of their Champions League exit during the week.

West Brom enjoyed the first shot of the game on four minutes, as James Morrison's effort was kept out of harm's way by David Luiz's leg.

The first goal also went o West Brom on 17 minutes, when Jerome Thomas offloaded to Peter Odemwingie, who rounded John Terry to chip over Petr Cech. But their lead lasted all of four minutes, as Nicky Shorey's inexplicable decision to kick Malouda's cross back across the face of goal ended with a goal for Didier Drogba.

Three minutes later Chelsea were in front as Scott Carson dived for Drogba's shot and Kalou slotted home the rebound.

Chelsea could have had a third on 34 minutes but for Carson's superb save to keep out Lampard's 20-yard free kick, which was heading for the top corner.

And a minute before half time Lampard got his goal, as Malouda crossed for the England midfielder to sidefoot into the net.

EPL results
lBirmingham 2-0 Sunderland
lBlackpool 1-3 Wigan Athletic
lEverton 2-0 Blackburn R
lWest Bromwich 1-3 Chelsea
lWest Ham 1-2 Aston Villa