West Brom Albion holds Chelsea to 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge
Eden Hazard’s controversial stoppage-time penalty salvaged a draw for Chelsea against West Brom and kept Jose Mourinho’s unbeaten home record intact.
Hazard maintained his composure to score after Steven Reid had been penalised for a collision with Ramires, who appeared to go to ground easily.
The hosts took a half-time lead when Samuel Eto’o pounced from close range but the West Brom Baggies fought back superbly through Shane Long and Stephane Sessegnon before the late drama.
The penalty was awarded by referee Andre Marriner in the fourth and final minute of stoppage-time for what appeared a relatively innocuous coming-together between Ramires and Reid.
And after Hazard had sent the impressive Boaz Myhill the wrong way, there was a fracas between the rival players as West Brom made their anger clear.
But if it was a cruel ending for the visitors, who were seconds away from their first victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 30 years, it was a redemption of sorts for Hazard.
The Belgian had been restored to the starting line-up after being dropped in midweek for arriving back late from a trip to watch his former club Lille.
And he justified his manager’s faith with an energetic performance and a nerveless spot-kick that extended Mourinho’s run of home Premier League matches without defeat to 66.
A victory for the Baggies would have represented a coup for their manager Steve Clarke, who was Mourinho’s assistant during his hugely successful first stint at the club.
Results of other BPL matches played today are:
Norwich City 3-1 West Ham United
Liverpool 4 – 0 Fulham
Crystal Palace 0 – 0 Everton
Aston Villa 2 – 0 Cardiff City
Southampton 4 – 1 Hull City
Today’s Matches
12:00 Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United
White Hart Lane
15:05 Sunderland vs Manchester City
Stadium of Light
17:10 Swansea City vs Stoke City
Liberty Stadium
17:10 Manchester United vs Arsenal
Old Trafford