Diego Costa and Eden Hazard have both struck first-half goals to help Chelsea into a comfortable 2-0 half-time lead over 10-man West Bromwich Albion.
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The Baggies went into the clash hoping to end a 36-year winless run at Stamford Bridge.
However, Jose Mourinho's side made inroads toward protecting that streak early on when captain John Terry forced Ben Foster into a point-blank save after four minutes.
Chances were at a premium for the visitors, but Stephane Sessegnon looked to justify his inclusion in the first XI with a 30-yard strike that sailed well wide of the target.
Mourinho's side continued to threaten and their dominance paid off on 11 minutes, as Costa beat the offside trap to control a lofted cross from Oscar on his chest before nonchalantly side-footing past Foster.
It was very nearly two just minutes later when Foster beat away Oscar's outside-of-the-boot shot, but no Chelsea player was on hand to convert the rebound.
Having single-handedly kept the scoreline to a minimum, the England goalkeeper then found himself culpable for Chelsea's second goal on 25 minutes.
Hazard wandered into the area unmarked to pick up a short Cesc Fabregas corner, before firing at goal but, despite getting a firm hand on it, Foster failed to keep it out.
Things went from bad to worse for West Brom just three minutes later when Claudio Yacob was given a straight red card by referee Lee Mason for a challenge on Costa.
Alan Irvine's side weathered plenty of pressure from Chelsea in the latter stages of the half but the visitors held on to maintain the two-goal deficit.
Shane Callaghan
