Half-time: Chelsea 1 West Brom 1

Chelsea failed to build on Cesar Azpilicueta’s goal and were level at the break despite having the better of the opening 45 minutes.

Azpilicueta scored from close range for a deserved lead but West Brom levelled through Craig Gardner’s fine strike after a Pedro mistake.

The Blues goal came when Diego Costa and Willian combined to play in Branislav Ivanovic on the right and Azpilicueta sidefooted home the Serbian’s cross from close range.

Costa, fit despite limping off in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Scunthorpe, was sharp and dangerous from the start and involved in most of Chelsea’s best moments.

He crashed an early shot wide after a good run, miscued another effort following a fine move, and was a constant threat in behind.

The equally impressive Willian also went close with a fierce 20-yard strike after cutting in from the right flank.

West Brom had looked dangerous from set-pieces, with Thibaut Courtois twice making decent low stops, most notably from James McClean’s header.

But they found themselves level from open play when Gardner, on as an early substitute for the injured James Morrison, took advantage of some sloppy play by Pedro to score from 20 yards.