First-half goals from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard help Chelsea into a 2-0 lead over West Brom in a first half that also saw Claudio Yacob sent off for the visitors.

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.

Diego Costa of Chelsea scores the opening goal under pressure from Joleon Lescott of West Brom during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on November 22, 2014 © Getty Images

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.