Eden Hazard and Victor Moses relieve Chelsea pressure in West Brom win

It was only when the third goal bulged West Brom’s net, as this contest drifted into its last quarter, that Chelsea could truly relax and bask in a restorative victory. Eden Hazard, forever their inspiration, had darted across the edge of the area away from Jonny Evans and ripped a shot inside Ben Foster’s near post, the goalkeeper wrong-footed and helpless.

After recent traumas, confidence is edging back. Antonio Conte would be blowing kisses to his wife in the east stand before the end, his mood improved and memories fading of those desperate recent performances, and hefty defeats, to Bournemouth and Watford. Life suddenly feels more bearable with his team back in fourth place, and only three points off second, with Barcelona due here next week.

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