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10-man Chelsea slip to shock 5-2 defeat to West Brom

London, Apr 3 (efe-epa).- West Bromwich Albion on Saturday stunned a short-handed Chelsea with an astonishing 5-2 win at Stamford Bridge to end the Blues’ unbeaten start under manager Thomas Tuchel and give the Baggies a much-needed boost in their fight to avoid relegation.

Chelsea started sluggishly but took the lead before the half-hour mark as forward Christian Pulisic converted a rebound ball off the woodwork from a Marcos Alonso free kick.

But moments later, Brazilian defender Thiago Silva was booked for the second time after diving into a challenge late, swinging the game on its head.

Chelsea could not come to terms with the reshuffle at the back, and West Brom capitalised twice in first half stoppage time to go in at the break a goal ahead.

The first came two minutes into the first-half stoppage time when Brazilian midfielder Matheus Pereir took advantage of a clearance from his goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to lob the ball over Chelsea shot stopper Edouard Mendy.

Matheus struck again two minutes later, after dribbling around three Chelsea defenders before firing in a low shot at the near post.

After the break, West Brom were full of vigor and imposed their numerical advantage on Chelsea, who were leaving plenty of space at the back as they chased an equalizer.

The visitors scored a spectacular goal through Irish forward Callum Robinson who volleyed in a Darnell Furlong cross into the top right corner in the 63 minute.

Five minutes later, a flowing counter attack found a poorly marked Senegalese forward Mbaye Diagne who added to Chelsea’s woes by scoring a fourth goal.

Chelsea pulled one back in the 71st minute thanks to English midfielder Mason Mount’s close-range effort, but they were dealt the final blow in injury time when Robinson scored his second and his side’s fifth goal.

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