Midfielder Michael Essien figured heavily for Chelsea in their 1-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League on Saturday.
A late strike defender Gareth McAuley increased the pressure on Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas with a late winner at the Hawthorns.
McAuley struck eight minutes from time to earn Albion their first ever Premier League win over the Blues whom they had not beaten at any level since 1979.
The Ghana international came close to giving Chelsea the lead with a well struck volley in the 38th minute but an alert Ben Forster in the Albion post turned the goal-bound shot aside.
Chelsea went on to press for the opening goal before halftime but were very wasteful in front of goal, with Daniel Sturridge the major culprit.
Their first half dominance was however significantly reduced in the second as the hosts rallied to put up a more offensive posture buoyed by their teaming fans.
Albion then went on to enjoy a purple patch and came close on three occasions to scoring in the space of five minutes.
Their dominance forced Chelsea boss Andres Villas-Boas to make a series of substitutions including taking off Essien for the misfiring Fernando Torres.
The 29-year-old’s absence became vaguely evident as Albion took total control of the midfield pushing the Blues deep into their half conceding numerous set pieces in the process.
It wouldn’t take long for McAuley to turn in a Ridgwell corss off an Andrew’s chip to win the day.
The result leaves Chelsea three points adrift of Arsenal, winners at Liverpool earlier in the day, in the battle for a Champions League spot.
Source: ghanasoccernet
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