West Brom 1 Chelsea 1. The title race took another dramatic twist on Tuesday night as Chelsea threw away two precious points at the Hawthorns. The draw leaves the Blues at the top of the table but Arsenal and Manchester City could both move above them if they win their home games tonight against Manchester United and Sunderland.
Asked if the result proved his point that Chelsea were not the favourites to win the Premier League, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho replied: "Yes. A complete team kills this game. Two nil, goodbye."
Chelsea seemed set to open up a four point lead at the top when Branislav Ivanovic scored from Willian's corner on the stroke of half-time. It was just reward for a first period dominated by the visitors, but try as they might the Blues couldn't add to their tally. Ben Foster was in brilliant form for the Baggies between the sticks as Samuel Eto'o and Willian both squandered chances.
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At the other end Petr Cech - deputising as skipper for the injured John Terry - was an observer for most of the match as WBA failed to muster a single shot on target. That all changed on 87 minutes, however, as Victor Anichebe rose to head home Saido Berahino's cross for the equaliser.
The point was enough to lift Albion out of the relegation zone and manager Pepe Mel paid tribute to his team who have now drawn against Chelsea, Everton and Liverpool since he took over. "The players worked hard and were strong," declared Mel, whose team are now 17th.
Mourinho didn't begrudge the Baggies their point. He said: "I think, in the end, they deserved it. We started being too deep and it was impossible for my defenders to get out. We must have the personality to get out and don't accept their pressure and don't accept to play for so long in the last third."
Nevertheless, in one of the most open and unpredictable title races in years Mourinho wasn't too downbeat about the result. "We have one more point than we did yesterday," he said, although surely he doesn't believe the Blues will still be top by tonight. Arsenal may struggle to take three points off United but surely City will see off Sunderland at the Etihad. Won't they...?
