Before the game me and my Dad were driving up to Birmingham and he asked me what I thought the score was going to be. I said 2-2 then I asked him, and Dad being Dad said we’d lose 2-1!
We got to the car park and we met Bedford and Geoff, and we went to The Sportsman for a drink and got a table. Whilst we were in there we met Utrect and Stroller and a couple of others, including Sue who gave me my usual packet of sweets. After a couple of drinks, we left to walk to the ground, and on our way we got a pork sandwich, which we do every home game - I recommend them!
We got in the ground and I went straight up the stairs to see the team warm up. I didn’t see McAuley or Lukaku – who of course was ineligible. Then I heard the teams and I knew we’d would have to play really well, especially Myhill, who came in for Foster. Then I heard the Chelsea team, and although it was strong, a couple of good players were on the bench. So then it was time for kick-off and The Hawthorns was in great voice as always.
First half
We got underway and Chelsea had the upper hand early on and nearly took the lead when the ball was bobbling around before it fell for Bertrand, but Ridgewell was on the line and cleared the danger.
But only a couple of minutes later Albion went in front. Gera worked the to Morrison who chipped a fantastic ball across to Long, who had escaped Luiz, and his diving header gave Cech no chance!
That gave Albion real belief and we were now in the driving seat and we were stroking it around very nicely. Long nearly doubled the lead when a hopeful long ball was going out of play, but he didn’t give it up and he used his pace to keep it in. He muscled Cahill off the ball before firing a shot which skimmed past the post!
It was all Albion but then just before half time Hazard had the ball and crossed it. The ball sailed over the defence to the right hand side to Azpilicueta who crossed to the back post where Hazard headed goalwards. It took an unfortunate knick off Jones’ shoulder and Myhill couldn’t adjust his body as it found the corner. Then, with seconds to go in the first half, Moses ran onto a through ball and didn’t see three of his team-mates in the middle and went for goal at an angle from ten yards out and nearly hit the corner flag! Half time 1-1.
After the break
The second half started and Chelsea came straight from the off trying to get an early goal, but couldn’t get past the defence. Then Albion hit Chelsea on the counter. The ball was slotted through to Long, who again, just like against Southampton, delivered a pin point cross and picked out Odemwingie, who headed it through the legs of Cech into the corner. The Hawthorns erupted and the chant “we know what we are” was deafening.
Chelsea had to change things and took off the ineffective Torres and brought on Oscar and Mata. We decided to sit back for the final 25 minutes, which was risky.
With 15 minutes to play the Albion back line was playing very high. Mata slipped a ball through to Sturridge, who was one-on-one but he couldn’t beat Myhill who closed the angle and got a good hand to the ball.
Then in the space of a couple of minutes Long, then Dorrans broke through the heart of the Chelsea defence, but couldn’t get past the last man. But it was Chelsea doing all the pressing, but Albion stayed strong and were defending everything Chelsea could throw at us. Then in the 89th minute Sturridge ran into the box but fired it well wide,
Four minutes of stoppage time went up – we were nearly there. But Chelsea had a corner and Cech came up. It was swung in and Cech nearly got there but his leg wasn’t long enough and Myhill took his time with the goalkick. Then the whistle blew and a great cheer rang around the ground. I had many emotions: happy, excited-mostly and relieved! West Brom had just beat the European champions!
Full time: West Brom 2 Chelsea 1.
Next stop Sunderland. Me and my Dad are going, see you there!
“We know what we are.”
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