Win over West Brom gives Chelsea 11-point lead
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-16 09:01

Chelsea have stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points with a 1-0 win over struggling West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's Didier Drogba moves the ball past West Bromwich's Neil Clement during their Premiership match at Chelsea's grounds. Chelsea won 1-0. [AFP]

Didier Drogba's first-half goal on Tuesday takes Chelsea on to 74 points from 29 matches with Manchester United in second place on 63 and champions Arsenal a further two points adrift in third.

Chelsea dominated from the start as they put the visitors' defence under constant pressure in a match rearranged because of the west London side's appearance in the League Cup final.

They were rewarded after 26 minutes when striker Drogba tucked the ball home from eight metres after Damien Duff lost his marker down the left and cut back a precise low cross.

It was the 50th goal West Brom have conceded in the Premier League this season and only bottom club Norwich City (58) have let in more as the pair struggle to avoid relegation.

Drogba should have scored a second goal just after the hour mark when he turned defender Thomas Gaardsoe outside the penalty area but flashed his low shot wide of Russell Hoult's far post.

Ten minutes later the Ivory Coast forward had another clear chance to increase Chelsea's lead but somehow managed to head the ball wide of the post from an unmarked position.

West Brom battled gamely and a Kanu volley moments later was headed over by the excellent Robert Huth, but the Midlands side rarely looked capable of getting back on level terms.

The loss leaves Albion second from bottom just a point above Norwich. Their haul of 21 points means they are five away from the position of safety occupied by Crystal Palace.

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