Blues manage to eke out a 2-2 draw at home thanks to an Eden Hazard stoppage-time penalty
Eden Hazard atoned for Chelsea with a controversial stoppage-time penalty in a 2-2 draw against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday that preserved Jose Mourinho’s unbeaten Premier League home record.
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Hazard was back in the side after missing the Champions League win over Schalke in mid-week following his late return from an unauthorised trip to France.u00a0And he confirmed he is back in manager Mourinho’s good books when he kept his nerve in the 96th minute to beat West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill from the spot after Ramires had gone down under a challenge from Steven Reid.
Referee Andre Marriner took his time before awarding the spot-kick and the Albion players vigorously contested the decision. But the outcome was that Chelsea avoided a second successive Premier League defeat and Mourinho — who was taking charge of his 100th game at Stamford Bridge; his 66th in the league — maintained his proud home record.
Chelsea had appeared on course for victory when Samuel Eto’o put the Blues ahead on the stroke of half-time after taking advantage of a mistake by Liam Ridgewell.u00a0
But second-half goals from Shane Long and Stephane Sessengnon overturned that advantage to give the visitors hope of an unexpected win, only for fortune to desert them at the death.u00a0The result meant Chelsea dropped from second place to fourth in the table, but Mourinho and his players knew it could have been worse.
Suarez nets brace as Liverpool win
Elsewhere, Luis Suarez maintained his remarkable goal-scoring form since his return from suspension with two goals in a 4-0 Liverpool win over Fulham that poses major questions about the future of Cottagers manager Martin Jol.
Suarez has now scored eight times in six Premier League games since serving his ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic. Brendan Rodgers’ team are now two points behind leaders Arsenal.
Other results
Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff
Crystal Palace 0-0 Everton
Southampton 4-1 Hullu00a0