"A scoreline that, really, came out of nowhere"

SAT 03 APR 2021    PREMIER LEAGUE 

Chelsea   2   5   West Bromwich Albion 

Pulisic (27'), Mount (71')

Pereira (45'+2, 45'+4), Robinson (63', 90'+1), Diagne (68')

NBC Sports, studio host Rebecca Lowe, speaking at the conclusion of the match,

"What words sum up the Premier League. One of them we came up with unpredictable. Another one dramatic. And this game, this morning, first up on your Saturday, the perfect example of this league."

The match kicked off at 4:30am local, Pacific Daylight (PDT), time. Thus, there was little chance that we, the members of the "Footie" chat in Facebook Messenger, would be watching live.

[chat]  Leeds4Ever

[ pod]  Dave in Costa Rica (no longer in Costa Rica)

[chat]  ArsenalByBirth

[ pod]  Producer Ken (doesn't do much production)

[chat]  Euro Snob

[ pod]  Mark "not a Timbers fan" in Portland

Note: timestamps correspond to chat messages, which correspond to Euro Snob's time-shifted (and oft-paused) TiVo match viewing.

 

9:51am

See the Chelsea score?  I assume Mark is muted until he can watch.

9:54am

I'll look now

11:35am

I’m watching now. Chelsea playing against Brazil?! Strange.

Silva is back. And Pulisic started!

11:56pm

Branislav Ivanović is warming up for West Brom. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him!

He’s in. Replaced an injured player.

12:02pm

Alonso free kick 5 or 10 yards outside of the box, from Pulisic being fouled. Off the post. Pulisic first to the rebound and scores!

4:11pm  Leeds4Ever

This was the only Chelsea text worth sending

After the restart, West Brom on the attack and Silva gets a second yellow. He’s sent off!

12:04pm 

Jorginho had a poor pass near the Chelsea box that surrendered possession to Brom and then led to both of Silva's yellow card fouls.

Chelsea on 10 men for 60 minutes.

Silva was lunging to try and block the shot with his outstretched legs, ended up landing on the West Brom player who shot. Not intentional but a yellow worthy foul, based on the end result.

12:12pm

Now Ivanović is injured! Seems a hamstring pull chasing Werner on a counterattack.

12:28pm

West Brom equalize on a fairly wild goal. Their keeper with the assist! Mendy off his line and the Brom keeper struck it perfectly over the top of the defense and the player chipped it over Mendy.

12:29pm

Almost another for West Brom in first half stoppage. Almost bent it into the top corner from distance.

12:30pm

And then they do it. Another good opportunity. This time converted.

Same guy who chipped the equalizer.

Chelsea defense in shambles.

Both Baggie goals in stoppage.

12:35pm

Tuchel takes Pulisic off at the half? Mount in. Strange.

Chelsea had a lot of sloppy passes and poor decisions in their defensive third. Gifted Baggies opportunities and they converted.

12:41pm

Just watch the new Space Jam trailer to take your mind off the match

12:48pm

Ken’s footie mind has atrophied during the international break.

12:55pm

Alonso almost equalized at 54’. Game looks open. Chelsea pressing for a goal regardless of the man deficit.

 

1:03pm
Wow. On the volley. Smashed it into the back of the net. Who is this West Brom? Not the relegation squad that rarely score. Unbelievable.
They deserve 3 points.
Amazing. Well done Baggies.

This is Ken’s (assigned) promoted team.

 

1:04pm

Got to like a team called Baggies after all

👍Euro Snob

1:04pm

They could overtake Leeds if they continue like this.

😠Leeds4Ever

1:05pm

Never!!

1:05pm

Mark my words. Baggies moving up.

1:05pm

Chelsea weak today!! Tuchel on the hot seat

1:07pm

Oh my. Now 4-1!

Baggies pulling tricks in the box. Unbelievable!

Chelsea’s goal differential taking a big hit.

1:10pm

Baggies are the new Liverpool.
Chelsea score. Werner with the assist.

4-2. Crazy match.

1:12pm

West Brom the Chelsea kryptonite. 3-3 earlier this campaign.
So many goals. When they play Chelsea.

I must admit. This is a very entertaining match.

1:16pm

Zouma could have made us 3-4. Big bounce and off of his shin/ankle. What could have been!

 

1:17pm

Werner-esque?

1:18pm

No. Not that level of embarrassment. It was possible but not expected.

1:20pm

I'm watching FF pregame. Like a true American

1:20pm

I am a citizen of the world!

Dave spending his time watching car insurance commercials.

1:21pm

Kovacic had an almost perfect through ball to Werner. Just a half yard too long. Otherwise Werner would have had to convert a challenging but expected of a top striker finish past/over the keeper.

1:22pm

I already checked the final score 10 minutes ago. But I’m still watching.

Respect!

 

1:24am

That’s dedication to the next podcast

1:26pm

West Brom has scored 1 goal in their previous 5 EPL matches. Crazy!

I know West Brom will score a 5th. Can’t wait to see how. Maybe an overhead strike from 16 yards.

1:29pm

Werner gets no love from the officials. He tried to sell what looks like a fairly legit foul, and he never gets it. Must be 5 or 6 times this game. Officials looks at him likes he’s a school boy that’s wandered onto the pitch.

1:33pm

There’s the 5th. With a man advantage, West Brom are world beaters.

1:39pm

West Brom hadn’t won at Stamford Bridge since 1978.

2:14pm

Given this supremely unexpected result, I’m now picking UCLA to beat Gonzaga.