Premier League: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hails first-half display after win over West Brom

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hailed his side's first-half performance as they overcame West Brom 2-0 to move seven points clear at the top of the table.

First-half goals from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard put Chelsea in firm control and the game was over as a contest when West Brom midfielder Claudio Yacob was sent off before the half hour mark for a reckless two-footed challenge on Costa.

Ben Foster was in fine form for West Brom to keep the scoreline down and Mourinho was delighted with his side's attacking display feeling they have won by more than the 2-0 scoreline.

"I think the first half was fantastic," Mourinho told Sky Sports. "The first half was really spectacular football, high quality football we made the pitch really wide with wide people, we create spaces to play we were really dangerous and they couldn't stop us because we were really good.

"I think the result at half-time should and could be a very different result than 2-0."

Chelsea eased up in the second half and Mourinho praised West Brom's showing as they shut up shop in the second period to leave the scoreline respectable.

"In the second half with 10 men I think they did very, very well they didn't try to discuss the points of the game it is impossible to do it with 10 men for such a long time, but they played very well, very well organised and keep that short result," added Mourinho.

"Instead of blaming my players because I could feel the intensity of our game went a little bit down, but instead of being negative with my players I prefer to praise in the fair way West Brom did in the second half."