LONDON: Pedro Rodri­guez was signed by Chelsea to inject some life into the English champions after their lacklustre start to the season. He took 30 minutes to do just that.

The Spain forward scored one goal and set up another in his first half-hour of Premier League football, setting Chelsea on their way to a 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion for a first victory of their title defence.

Crisis averted for Chelsea, who had opened with one point from two games, but there’s still a way to go to catch first-placed Manche­ster City.

City earned their third straight win by beating Everton 2-0 thanks to second-half goals by Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri to move top of the table on nine points ahead of Leicester City and Manchester United who have seven after three games.

City defender Kolarov opened the scoring on the hour before substitute Nasri collected a deft pass from Yaya Toure to clip a sublime finish past goalkeeper Tim Howard in the 88th.

“We’ve started this season well but we appreciate that starting the season means nothing because it’s a long season,” City keeper Joe Hart told Sky Sports.

A 21.2 million pound ($33.2 million, 30 million euros) signing from Barcelona earlier this week, reportedly snatched from beneath Manchester United’s noses, Pedro scored Chelsea’s opener and created a goal for Diego Costa as Jose Mourinho’s side went 2-0 up at The Hawthorns.

Having earlier missed a penalty, James Morrison scored twice in response, but despite captain John Terry’s red card for a last-man foul, Cesar Azpilicueta’s first league goal proved enough for Chelsea.

Asked for his thoughts on Terry’s dismissal, which came after he was substituted at half-time of last weekend’s 3-0 loss at Manchester City, Mourinho told Sky Sports: “I prefer to have no views. I prefer to try to keep quiet.

“I know many people are disappointed with this result. People love Chelsea to lose again. I’m so happy the players got what they deserve.

“Four points in three matches is not enough. The feeling is we are fighting against a lot. But today we won.”

It was Chelsea’s first win at West Brom in five attempts and saw the defending champions belatedly find their gear after a 2-2 draw with Swansea City and that chastening defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea started nervously and were indebted to returning goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who saved Morrison’s early penalty after Nemanja Matic brought down Callum McManaman.

Sparked by that early scare, Chelsea settled into their passing rhythm with Eden Hazard linking up with Pedro before the Spaniard squirmed a shot inside the post to open the scoring.

Chelsea’s fans launched into a chorus of “Are you watching Manchester?” and United’s supporters will have found themselves looking away again 10 minutes later when Pedro’s cross-shot was turned in by Costa.

WEST BROMWICH: Chelsea’s Pedro (L) puts in a cross during the English Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Sunday.—AFP

“He’s [Pedro] fantastic,” Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas told Sky Sports. “I knew straight away he would make an impact on this team because it was something we did not have.

“A pacy player that could go behind defenders, can dribble, can go one-against-one and stretches teams. I knew straight away the mentality of this guy is fantastic and I’m very happy for him.”

Morrison reduced the arrears by bludgeoning home when Salomon Rondon hooked James McClean’s cross back into the box, only for Azpilicueta to restore the visitors’ two-goal cushion in the 42nd minute by rolling in a shot after Costa had chested down Fabregas’ pass.

Terry saw red nine minutes into the second half for pulling Rondon back as he bore down on goal before Morrison reduced the arrears with a glancing header, but Chelsea held out, Courtois thwarting Rondon in added time.

West Brom manager Tony Pulis dropped Saido Berahino from his squad after he was the subject of an unsuccessful bid from Tottenham Hotspur, but the Welshman was reluctant to discuss the matter after the game.

“We’re talking about Saido because of the transfer window,” Pulis said. “Everybody here today should be talking about the game and this wouldn’t be an issue. It can be disruptive and has been.”

At Goodison Park, both sides hit the woodwork either side of half-time, with Romelu Lukaku skimming the crossbar from an Everton free-kick and David Silva rattling the post for City.

Lukaku had earlier seen a goal ruled out for offside, but it was City who took the lead on the hour.

Raheem Sterling drove at the Everton defence before playing an intelligent pass to Kolarov who finished neatly at Howard’s near post.

Sterling was replaced soon after by French midfielder Nasri who made sure of the victory with a nonchalant chip after he was played in by Toure.

“I am very satisfied because it was a difficult team,” said City manager Manuel Pellegrini. “I think we were very confident and solid in the whole game, so it was difficult for Everton to create chances.”

Elsewhere, Southampton, yet to win this season, were held to a goalless draw at promoted Watford, who have now drawn all three matches since returning to the top flight this season.

Liverpool, who won their first two games, visit Arsenal on Monday.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2015

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