Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

EPL PHOTOS: Fabregas gets red as Chelsea slump at West Brom

May 19, 2015 11:13 IST

‘Am I guilty? Yes, but I think the top contenders for the title are also guilty, because they didn't give us a big fight’

‘You can't expect us to get on the bus crying because we lost 3-0, we are champions’

Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea

Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea, right, and Darren Fletcher of West Bromwich Albion clash prior to Fabregas being sent off. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas was sent off in bizarre circumstances as the below-par Premier League champions, playing with 10 men for over an hour, slumped 3-0 at West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

Saido Berahino struck twice for Albion but the main talking point at the Hawthorns was the first-half red card shown to Spaniard Fabregas for unsportsmanlike conduct by referee Mike Jones.

The official was in the process of booking Chelsea striker Diego Costa after he tussled with Gareth McAuley when Fabregas, standing some 20 metres away, chipped the ball towards a crowd of players and it hit West Brom's Chris Brunt on the head, prompting Jones to walk over and brandish a red card.

Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho manager of Chelsea signals to the travelling fans. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

"What Fabregas did didn't hurt anyone, he shouldn't do it but I don't think that the red card was fair," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told the BBC.

The Portuguese said his side, who won the title earlier this month with three games to spare, had lost "concentration, intensity and motivation" with nothing to play for.

In typical Mourinho fashion, however, he blamed Manchester City, United and Arsenal for failing to mount a sustained challenge.

Chelsea are eight points clear of City going into their final match of the season at home to Sunderland on Sunday.

"Am I guilty? Yes, but I think the top contenders for the title are also guilty, because they didn't give us a big fight. You can't expect us to get on the bus crying because we lost 3-0, we are champions."

Saido Berahino of West Bromwich Albion

Saido Berahino of West Bromwich Albion (18) celebrates with team mates Callum McManaman (19) and Darren Fletcher (24) as he scores their first goal. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Chelsea's third league defeat of the season -- the first two coming at Newcastle and Spurs -- was kickstarted by West Brom top scorer Berahino's fine curling strike from outside the penalty area after nine minutes.

Keeper Thibaut Courtois prevented Chelsea going into halftime further behind but West Brom won a penalty 29 seconds into second half after Berahino was brought down by John Terry.

Berahino converted to take his league tally to 14 for the season and Chris Brunt lashed in a third goal on the hour for West Brom who are guaranteed to finish no lower than 13th place.

Loic Remy struck the post for Chelsea in the second half but the champions endured a miserable night in the Midlands.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.