Pedro shines on Chelsea debut, but what now for John Terry?

West Brom 2 Chelsea 3. Pedro took his Chelsea bow on Sunday as the defending champions won their first game of the season, but his goalscoring debut was overshadowed by yet more controversy as John Terry was shown a red card as the Baggies threatened to inflict more pain on Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea's new arrival, signed from Barcelona last week, opened his account after just 20 minutes and turned provider for Diego Costa ten minutes later.

It appeared that normal service had been resumed for the Blues, but things did not go according to plan for the rest of the afternoon. Even before they scored, Chelsea had a lucky escape when James Morrison missed a penalty, but he made amends by firing home after 35 minutes to make it 2-1.

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Cesar Azpilicueta restored Chelsea's two-goal advantage, but when Terry was shown a harsh red card early in the second period for appearing to haul down Salomon Rondon, Chelsea's afternoon was in danger of turning sour. Morrison made it 3-2 soon after Terry's dismissal, but the Blues held on and Mourinho celebrated the final whistle by bellowing into a pitchside microphone.

"This was 90 minutes of the Premier League boiled down to its essence," says Rory Smith of The Times. "The torrential rain, the robust opponents, the nerve-shredding drama and the distinct scent of controversy all played their part in welcoming Pedro to his new home, the place where if anybody did read the script, they would think it faintly unrealistic."

After the game Mourinho declared that Chelsea would start training with ten men in a bid to counter the red cards his side have been picking up, and although he steered clear of criticising referee Mark Clattenburg his annoyance was clear.

He did, however, praise Pedro for his fine performance. But "beneath that public show of satisfaction must simmer familiar concerns," says Dominic Fifield of The Guardian. "Away from a front line now cranked into gear, the same issues remain. Chelsea are creaking at the back, those frailties that dogged them for periods against Swansea City and at the Etihad exposed once more."

Terry is now at a crossroads, believes Martin Keown of the BBC. He was substituted last week and sent off this, and he could now find it hard to get back into the team.

"He can still be an important player for Chelsea but it is important that Mourinho talks to him if his role at the club is changing," says the former Arsenal defender, who believes that Terry may have to accept a reduced role in the first team.