Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel suffered his first defeat of his reign as struggling West Bromwich Albion took advantage of Thiago Silva’s red card to secure a stunning 5–2 win on Saturday. Tuchel has overseen a 14-match unbeaten run in all competitions since he replaced sacked Frank Lampard in January. But that impressive start came as an embarrassing end when West Brom rioted at Stamford Bridge. Christian Pulisic put Chelsea ahead in the first half, only to receive Brazilian defender Thiago for his second booking moments later. This is why Albin’s first turn as Matthias Pereira came twice in stoppage-time.
Mbaye Diagne grabbed West Brom’s third goal and Callum Robinson netted twice to give up a tochelle shell-shock.
Mason Mount’s answer was no consolation as Chelsea’s bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League through a top-four finish in the Premier League suffered a significant setback.
The Blues, beaten for the first time in 10 league games, now sit fourth, but both West Ham and Tottenham will go up to them on Monday and Sunday, respectively.
It was a rude awakening for Chelsea, after winning just two goals in Tuchel’s reign, with seven consecutive clean-sheets since defending for the last time at Southampton in February.
For the first time since 2011 against Arsenal, Chelsea scored five goals at home in the league.
It was the worst possible preparation for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Porto on Wednesday.
West Brom remain in second place, but their first league win at Chelsea since 1978 gives them a glimpse of hope in the fight to avoid charges again.
Sam Allardes’ team is seven points behind from safety, with eight games remaining.
Thiago was making his first Chelsea debut since February 4 after recovering from a thigh problem, but was completely out of touch upon his return.
– Inauspicious signs –
Initial signs were inauspicious when Georgina’s wayward pass was blocked by Pereira at the edge of the Chelsea penalty area, forcing Thiago into a cynical foul that earned him a yellow card.
Despite their sluggish start, Tuchel’s men took the lead in the 27th minute.
Marcos Alonso’s 25-yard free-kick was deflected back from the post and Pulicic reacted for the first time as he alerted his shot past John Johnstone from close-range.
But Thiago gave Albion a life kick two minutes later when he jumped a rash two-legged foul on Ok Yokoklu.
The 36-year-old can have no complaints about his first dismissal since he saw Red in 2013 playing for Paris Saint-Germain.
Considering his erratic performance, Chelsea were penalized for some disappointing defenses in the first half stoppage-time.
A long punt put forward by Johnstone should have been dealt with easily, but Kurt Zouma let Pereira run after him and guide a magnificent lob over the exposed Edouard Mendy.
Suddenly unable to get out of his own half, Chelsea almost fell behind with the final kick of the half.
James dominated and Darren found Perera, who danced through the Shambolic defense, before guiding the last low cool finish from Mendy from 10 yards.
Chelsea dropped the level almost immediately when Johnstone made a hash of James’s cross, forcing Ardh Azai to Alonso’s shot at the post.
Mount, as a half-time substitute, almost caught Johnstone with a clever free-kick, but Chelsea received a hammer blow in the 63rd minute.
A drifting move from the visitors culminated with Robinson when he went on a cross from Darnell Furlong to rob Mendy past a brilliant volley from 12 yards.
Chelsea had a cousin and West Brom summed up their misery with a stunning 68th minute break, with a halt to the Deft pass before Dijen arrived at home.
Promoted
Mount narrowed the deficit with a pass-finish from Timo Werner in the 71st minute.
But Tuchel’s grief was completed in stoppage-time when Robinson once again finished.
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