Belgium star berates West Brom for provoking Chelsea

THIBAUT COURTOIS has accused West Brom’s players of provoking Chelsea in last night’s bad-tempered 2-2 draw.

 

Kurt Zouma tries to ease tension between McClean and Courtois as Chelsea drew 2-2 with West Brom

 

James McClean’s late equaliser saw the Baggies steal a point in West London to keep them above the Blues in the Premier League.

Cesar Azpilicueta had given Chelsea the lead before a Craig Garnder equaliser levelled the scores in the first half.

Gareth McAuley’s own goal gifted Guus Hiddink’s men the advantage again after half-time but McClean’s 86th minute strike made it 2-2.

The Irish winger clashed with the Belgian keeper in one of several heated exchanges at Stamford Bridge.

Frustrations almost got the better of the players at full time, with the Blues once again displaying their frailties that sees them sit 14th in the Premier League table.

And Courtois was highly critical of the tactics deployed by Tony Pulis and West Brom.

"It was a tough game with them playing only long balls, second balls,” Courtois told the Evening Standard. “They tried to provoke players and it was a bit frustrating.

"We tried to do our best, we came back but then sadly they got the second goal.”

Diego Costa was, unsurprisingly, involved as he clashed with Boaz Myhill and tensions reached boiling point when the Spanish striker was booked for a crude late challenge on Gardner in the second half.

West Brom chopper Claudio Yacob was then lucky to escape a second booking when he tripped Costa and the Chelsea players reacted furiously.

Courtois said Yacob should have been dismissed and he was immediately replaced by Saido Berahino - who News News Blog Sport understands is a target for Chelsea.

 

"With the first yellow you can maybe agree it was just a normal foul and you don't give a card,” said Courtois.

"But the second time their manager took the player off one second after so I think everybody will know it was very clear.

"The dressing room is very disappointed. That was a game we wanted to win.

 "But we have to keep on fighting. Now we have Everton [on Saturday] and that will be difficult as well. We have to fight for every game and every point."