(MENAFN- Arab Times) West Bromwich Albion's English midfielder Craig Gardner (left), fouls Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa during the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich, central England, on May 18. (AFP)
WEST BROMWICH, United Kingdom, May 19, (AFP): Chelsea suffered their first defeat in 19 matches as the Premier League champions crashed 3-0 at West Bromwich Albion following the bizarre sending off of Cesc Fabregas on Monday. Saido Berahino had given the hosts an early lead at the Hawthorns before Chelsea midfielder Fabregas was dismissed later in the first half for kicking the ball against Chris Brunt's head with play stopped.
West Brom made the most of their numerical advantage with Berahino's penalty early in the second half before Brunt got the third as Jose Mourinho's side suffered their heaviest defeat of the season and their first league loss since New Year's Day. Although the title had been secured two weeks ago, Chelsea still fielded a strong side with Spain striker Diego Costa returning from injury after "begging" Mourinho to play him according to his manager.
With both sides having little but pride to play for, there was a jovial atmosphere inside the Hawthorns as the hosts gave the now traditional guard of honour for the champions. It was the hosts who came first to breaking the deadlock with Callum McManaman, making a rare start for Albion, seeing his shot deflect wide from Craig Dawson's pass.
And West Brom were ahead on nine minutes as England Under-21 striker Berahino ended his nine-game goal drought by curling home from the edge of the area in superb fashion following Joleon Lescott's pass. In response, Chelsea's Nemanja Matic fired a long range shot just wide of the post, but West Brom came close to a second when Dawson's trickery took him through the visitors' defence before his shot deflected wide.
Chelsea broke immediately with Eden Hazard seeing his effort deflect just over after a fine run from Costa. But an off the ball clash between Costa and Gareth McAuley on 29 minutes led to an ugly altercation between players of both sides.
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