West Brom ended their home season with a fourth consecutive 1-0 loss, with Michy Batshuayi's late goal enough to secure Chelsea the Premier League title at The Hawthorns. West Brom were far from outplayed and were in the game throughout, defending well and looking dangerous on the counter attack. However as has been the case in this late part of the season, Tony Pulis' side lacked quality in the final third to get what they deserved from the game.
Positives
Sam Field was giving a second successive start in the centre of midfield and once again performed well, particularly against a duo as talented and as experienced as Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas. James McClean also did well, providing the direct running and pace that West Brom lack when Matt Phillips is injured, although McClean's final ball isn't at the same level as Phillips. Salomon Rondon looked somewhere near back to his best, leading the line superbly in a tough game.
Negatives
West Brom have been the outstanding team in the Premier League this season in terms of goals from set pieces, but these let them down against the champions. Darren Fletcher, Chris Brunt, McClean and Nacer Chadli were all guilty of poor delivery from good positions.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- It was good to see Pulis keep faith with Field, even against such strong opposition. It was the right call to bring Allan Nyom back into the side at left-back, he provides much more going forward than Marc Wilson. The set-up and defensive organisation was great throughout, with Ben Foster only really troubled once.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Ben Foster, 7 -- Fantastic full-stretch save to deny Victor Moses, could do nothing for Chelsea's winning goal.
DF Craig Dawson, 7 -- Up against the lively Eden Hazard, Dawson performed very well defensively and this continued when he moved inside after an injury to Gareth McAuley. Another guilty of poor quality in the final third.
DF Gareth McAuley, 7 -- Before being forced off with injury, the centre-back was dominant against Diego Costa, marking him tightly and making a couple of good blocks.
DF Jonny Evans, 7 -- Another composed performance from the former Manchester United man, who coupled good defending with some decent moments with the ball at his feet coming forward.
DF Allan Nyom, 7 -- Very rarely troubled due to the protection provided to him by McClean, managed to make a couple of forays forward without receiving the ball.
MF Chris Brunt, 6 -- Operated as a second full-back for much of the game, supporting Dawson and then Nyom well defensively, although was perhaps guilty of losing his concentration for the winning goal.
MF Jake Livermore, 6 ---After a strong start to his West Brom career, Livermore has tailed off lately. Didn't have much time in possession, but made a few poor passes when he did. Good play to create his side's biggest chance.
MF Sam Field, 6 -- Was given a bit of an education early on by Fabregas but stuck to his task well and grew into the game, even put himself about physically.
MF Darren Fletcher, 6 -- Some good moments mixed with a couple of poor, heavy touches when in promising positions. Could do with the end of the season coming to have a well-deserved break.
MF James McClean, 6 -- Worked hard in support of Nyom, even though he gave away a couple of fouls. Tremendous speed on the counter attack, without quite picking the right pass.
FW Salomon Rondon, 8 -- The Venezuelan was superb against the Chelsea back three, clearly boosted by his goal at Burnley last weekend. Fantastic hold up play, tireless running and good link-up with his teammates, without getting a chance himself.
Substitutes
MF Claudio Yacob, 8 -- The Argentine midfielder was superb after replacing Field, nothing got past him either in the air or with players running at him, and instigated a couple of counter attacks.
MF Nacer Chadli, 6 -- Linked play well but wasted the biggest opportunity that either side had, firing wide when given a one on one opportunity.
DF Marc Wilson, 6 -- Joined the defensive effort and did well, but took a booking for his trouble.