Chelsea
1-0
West Brom West Bromwich Albion

Ba (28')

FT(HT: 1-0)

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Half-Time Report: Demba Ba hands dominant Chelsea advantage

By Callum Mulvihill, Reporter | 02 March 2013

Demba Ba hands Chelsea the advantage at half-time against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.

Demba Ba's goal has given Chelsea the lead at half-time in their Premier League meeting with West Bromwich Albion.

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez gestures from the sideline during his side's match with West Brom on March 2, 2013 © PA Photos

Ben Foster was called into action early in the contest as he was forced into tipping Oscar's shot over the crossbar following good work by Ba on the right side of midfield.

It was Petr Cech's turn to come to his side's rescue just minutes later when Steven Reid unleashed a free kick from 30 yards to sting the goalkeeper's fingertips.

Oscar was once again at fault for wasting a brilliant chance when the Brazilian could only head straight at Foster after finding himself in space inside the box.

Foster did superbly to keep out a deflected free kick from David Luiz but the corner that followed produced the opening goal as Ba reacted quickest to a Luiz header to tap in from close range.

Chelsea's confidence improved after Ba's goal and they could have added a second before the break, with Juan Mata drilling a volley just wide of the target from 20 yards.