Chelsea’s Pedro celebrates after Chelsea scored during the English Premier League soccer match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea at The Hawthorns Stadium in West Bromwich, Britain, 23 August 2015. PHOTO/AFP
LONDON, August 23- Pedro Rodriguez produced a goal and an assist on his debut as Chelsea survived the dismissal of captain John Terry to prevail 3-2 at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
A £21.2 million ($33.2 million, 30 million euros) signing from Barcelona earlier this week, reportedly snatched from beneath Manchester United’s noses, Pedro scored and set up Diego Costa as Jose Mourinho’s side went 2-0 up.
Having earlier missed a penalty, James Morrison scored twice in response for West Brom, but despite Terry’s red card for a last-man foul, Cesar Azpilicueta’s first league goal proved enough to give Chelsea a first victory of the Premier League season.
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. Five 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 the chastening defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
On a dark, squally afternoon in the West Midlands, Morrison squandered an early chance to put the hosts ahead when his penalty was blocked by Thibaut Courtois — back in the Chelsea goal following suspension — after Nemanja Matic had tripped Callum McManaman.
Fifteen minutes later, Pedro announced his arrival in English football by darting infield from the right, exchanging passes with Eden Hazard and finding the bottom-right corner with the aid of a deflection.
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.
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 Cesc Fabregas’s pass.
Terry saw red nine minutes into the second half for impeding Rondon 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.
Manchester City will replace Leicester City at the top of the table if they avoid defeat at Everton later on Sunday, while Southampton go in search of a first win of the campaign at promoted Watford.
