Didier Drogba threw down the gauntlet to title
rivals Manchester United as his hat-trick helped Chelsea to a 6-0
thrashing of West Bromwich Albion at Stamford
The Blues would have been keen to overcome their Community
Shield defeat to title rivals Manchester United last weekend. And
they surely did that with a dominant display at Stamford
Bridge.
Florent Malouda opened the scoring before Drogba netted on the
stroke of half time. The striker grabbed a second before Frank
Lampard made it four and Drogba had his hat-trick soon after.
Malouda rounded off the rout with a sixth in the final minute to
complete a stunning victory.
There was a warm welcome for Baggies boss and former Chelsea
star Roberto Di Matteo before kick-off. But once the match was
underway there was no room for sentiment as the Blues started in
emphatic fashion.
Malouda struck from close range on six minutes after Scott
Carson had spilled Drogba's free-kick. West Brom refused to lay
down in the face of the oncoming seige and played some decent
passing football. But they were made to pay for conceding too many
fouls around the box when Drogba smashed in a free-kick just before
the break.
After the break, it was much of the same with the Baggies
sticking to their principles. However, Chelsea's class was never in
doubt and Malouda drilled a 20-yard effort wide.
Graeme Dorrans' deflected shot was also off target from a
similar range at the other end. The Scotland midfielder chipped a
free-kick over the wall but the ball dropped onto the top of the
net.
Drogba netted his second when Terry flicked Malouda's inswinging
corner goalwards. Mulumbu hacked it off the line but the ball was
not cleared and Drogba was quick to smash it in from close
range.
Lampard walked in a fourth after a clever exchange between
Nicolas Anelka and Ashley Cole down the left. Both sides rang the
changes with Lampard given a rest and Ishmael Miller coming on for
Bednar and Dorrans replacing by Simon Cox.
It made no difference, though, as Drogba completed his hat-trick
with a 20-yard effort which cannoned off Gabriel Tamas into the
bottom corner.
The Ivory Coast striker was next to be handed a well-deserved
break when he was replaced by Salomon Kalou for the final 20
minutes.
Chris Brunt had a late chance to sneak a consolation but his
powerful shot flew over the bar. Malouda had the final say as he
rounded Baggies keeper Scott Carson for a tap-in off the post.
