West Brom vs Chelsea as it happened: Michy Batshuayi's late goal clinches Premier League title
Re-live the Premier League clash at the Hawthorns
Chelsea will be crowned Premier League champions if they beat West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns, with Antonio Conte on the verge of winning the title in his debut season.
- Antonio Conte wants Chelsea to show him his 'real value' with improved contract offer with title win
- 'Optimist' David Luiz reveals why Jose Mourinho could never agree with his style of play at Chelsea
- Chelsea stars not guaranteed Premier League winners' medals even though Oscar and Branislav Ivanovic are
- Antonio Conte already looking forward to Chelsea's title celebrations with the Premier League finish line in sight
- Diego Costa casts doubt on China transfer and could yet remain with Chelsea as he's the 'owner of my future'
What time does it start?
The match kicks off at 8.00pm on Friday 12 May.
Where can I watch it?
It will be televised live on Sky Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7.00pm.
Preview
A Chelsea win at the Hawthorns will clinch the Premier League title for the second time in three years in Antonio Conte’s debut season as manager. The Italian will be desperate to wrap things up as early as possible so all of his players’ focus in the closing weeks goes toward the FA Cup final at the end of May against Arsenal.
Tony Pulis has guided his West Bromwich Albion side to an impressive 8th place, a position which they could draw closer to confirming as their own as fellow Midland side Leicester face a tough trip to Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime. The Baggies’ form has been dreadful of late, and their main incentive will be to prevent the visitors from winning the title on their ground; no easy feat considering Chelsea’s run.
The Blues capitalised on Tottenham’s slip-up at West Ham to move seven points clear at the top by beating Middlesbrough 3-0, but will be keen to leave nothing to chance with knowledge of how unpredictable this league can be. Stand-in captain Gary Cahill has confessed that the players will need to keep their concentration ahead of this game, which is ‘never comfortable’; particularly as his side have won just one of their last five visits to West Brom.
Despite Cesc Fabregas’ sublime performance against Middlesbrough last time out, he could be sidelined if N’Golo Kante, who is set to win the title in successive years with two different clubs, is declared fit after a thigh injury. For the hosts, Matt Phillips has been ruled out with a hamstring problem but Tony Pulis is hopeful that he will be able to call on striker Hal Robson Kanu.
If there is one thing for which Tony Pulis sides have become notorious, it is their ability to make things difficult for their opponents and their best chance of preventing Chelsea from achieving their objective is to do just that. The likes of Costa, Hazard and Pedro will be going for broke and West Bromwich Albion will need a resolute defensive performance to keep them out and avoid the humiliation of having a side seal the title on their patch.
It’s a big game for…
Eden Hazard. He is Chelsea’s best player and after an anonymous season last year, he has been in fine form with 15 goals and 5 assists to help drive his team’s title challenge this time around. Just one more match-winning moment from the Belgian winger would be enough to clinch them the Premier League trophy and he is more than capable of doing exactly that.
Best stat…
None of the 21 Premier League meetings between these two sides have ever ended goalless. On Chelsea’s last two visits to the Hawthorns, they have had a player sent off: John Terry last season, and Cesc Fabregas the year before.
Remember when…
Chelsea registered 15 consecutive league wins against West Brom between 1984 and 2011. Over that run, they scored 39 goals, compared to the 5 scored by West Brom.
Player to watch...
Ben Foster. He received a nomination for the FWA player of the season award, which may be slightly over the top, but in Foster, West Brom do have a solid goalkeeper. He will have his work cut out trying to keep Eden Hazard and co at bay, but he can be a tough man to beat and could make things tough for the champions-elect.
Past three meetings…
Chelsea 1 West Bromwich Albion 0
Premier League, December 2016
Chelsea 2 West Bromwich Albion 2
Premier League, January 2016
West Bromwich Albion 2 Chelsea 3
Premier League, August 2015
Form
West Bromwich Albion: LLLLD
Chelsea: LWWWW
Odds
West Bromwich Albion to win: 17/2
Chelsea to win: 7/20
Draw: 4/1
1 MIN
Fletcher sends an early ball into the path of Rondon, who headed a powerful effort towards the target. Courtois manages to react and he parries the ball out of play for a corner kick.
4 MINS
A Chelsea attack led by Moses comes to an early end following a clever interception by McAuley.
5 MINS
Fabregas finds Pedro with a tantalising ball over the top of the West Brom defence, but the Spaniard appears unable to control the delivery and the opposition regain possession.
7 MINS
Dawson pulls Hazard to the ground, giving Chelsea a free kick from a wide angle.
8 MINS
Fabregas sends the set piece towards the back post, but it just creeps away from the lunging foot of Cahill.
10 MINS
The ball is fed to Pedro on the edge of the area, but his attempted shot flies way over the woodwork. Not even close.
12 MINS
Pedro skips past his man effortlessly and attempts to send a ball across the face of goal, but it hits Brunt and goes out for a corner kick.
13 MINS
McClean bursts forward with a counter attacking, following a Chelsea corner. He has Rondon to his right, but his attempt pass to put his teammate through is way off target.
The visitors regain possession.
15 MINS
Fletcher chops down Azpilicueta on the edge of the area with a sliding challenge. Conte's men have a free kick in a dangerous area.
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