After Arsenal's humiliating 5-1 defeat at Anfield and City playing a 0-0 draw with Norwich at Carrow Road, Chelsea took advantage with a 3-0 win against Newcastle to go top of the Premier League for the first time since November 2012, when Roberto Di Matteo was in charge. Now, it's time for Mourinho's men to prove their worth and continue their fantastic form to continue reigning atop the Premier League. Chelsea will travel to the Hawthorns on Tuesday, a place where they've struggled to win in their last two matches there against a struggling West Bromwich Albion side.
Eden Hazard's first hat-trick in English football completed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Newcastle to move Jose Mourinho's men to the top of the Premier League for the first time this season. Chelsea have managed to lose on their last two visits to The Hawthorns, but the odds of a hat-trick are slim at best. Their defence is back to its glory days, boasting six clean sheets in the last eight outings.
Meanwhile, West Brom have shipped a total of seven goals in recent games against fellow strugglers Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
Saturday's 3-1 loss at Selhurst Park saw West Brom slip into the relegation zone and after three excellent seasons in the top flight these are worrying times again in the Black Country. New manager Mel is still looking for his first victory and the club have managed only one win since Steve Clarke was sacked two months ago.
Defender Billy Jones is West Brom head coach Pepe Mel's latest injury concern ahead of Tuesday's Barclays Premier League match with leaders Chelsea at The Hawthorns. Jones is a doubt with a knee problem and will undergo a late fitness test on Tuesday morning, and if ruled out will join Nicolas Anelka, Stephane Sessegnon and Jonas Olsson on the sidelines. After scoring on his debut in Saturday's 3-1 loss at Crystal Palace after coming on as a half-time substitute, Mel may play on-loan Thievy Bifouma from the start.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed captain John Terry will again be absent with the minor niggle that saw him miss the win over Newcastle. However, striker Fernando Torres returns after three weeks out.
The earlier meeting between the two sides this season ended in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge as Eden Hazard's 93rd minute penalty salvaged a draw for Mourinho, whose outstanding home record was nearly toppled.
