In front of a crowd of 42,201 (and I have to say probably the most worst atmosphere in recent memory - too many plastic fans amounting to the same in plastic sheets), Chelsea struggled in front of a lively Albion side, looking to improve on their neat start to the season. It took twenty-two minutes before WBA's resistance was broken and it was the tricky Shaun Wright-Phillips who provided the inspiration for the first and second goals.

The first on twenty-two minutes, SWP found Didier Drogba on Chelsea's right after a poor WBA defensive clearance, Drogba crosse on running Essien dummied and 'Pop' Lampard controlled and smashed the ball into the net.

For the second on forty-two minutes,SWP took a pass down the Chelsea right, jumped around defender Robinson whilst deftly keeping the ball in play by the goaline, before sweeping a low cross past Kirkland allowing Cole to gleefully slide the ball into the net.

Chelsea's third on sixty-eight minutes came from an uncleared Frank Lampard corner, the ball found its way to Del Horno who smashed the ball back across the area for Drogba to take the simplest of touches, and joyfully turn to his left to milk the celebrations.

Chelsea and in particular Frank Lampard were not finished. On eighty minutes 'Pop' got his second after a hook clearance bounced and bobbled around Robben, first off his shoulder and then some foot tricky before laying the ball into the path of the forward running 'Pop' who scored his second.

From a personal point of view, it was pleasing to see Frank get himself off the mark as he did seem to have the worries and world on his shoulders. Now that little Luna has arrived, perhaps Frank 'Pop' will get back to his best.

Michael Essien made his full Chelsea debut last night and the man is going to become an instant hit with the fans (including those 'plastic' and JCLs) if he keeps up performances like the one he gave last night. Essien was full of running, full of power, tackled like a bulldog, passing the ball around the park as if his opponents did not exist and let one thunderbolt from thirty yards go, with so much power and velocity that Robben and Duff were caught offside after 'keeper Chris Kirkland spilled the effort. Had that gone in surely it would have won 'Goal of the Season.'

Del Horno had another good game. SWP showed why Chelsea paid so much money for him. Glenn Johnson also looked the part. Whatever Jose Mourinho puts in their tea seems to be having the desired effect.

One rumour that whistled around the ground before kick off was that Eider Gudjohnsen stormed away from Stamford Bridge with an angry look on his face, after being told that he was dropped from the squad.

Teams:

Chelsea: Cudicini, Johnson, Terry, Gallas, Del Horno, Makelele, Cole, Lampard, Essien, Wright-Phillips, Drogba

Subs: Robben on for Cole, Duff on for Wright-Phillips, Crespo on for Drogba. Subs not used: Cech, Carvalho

WBA: Kirkland, Albrechtsen, Gaardsoe, Clement, Robinson, Greening, Scimeca, Chaplow, Johnson, Kamara, Kanu

Subs: Ellington on for Greening, Inamoto on for Johnson. Subs not used: Moore, Earnshaw, Kuszczak