Thomas Tuchel suffers first Chelsea defeat amid a litany of unwanted stats

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 3 min read

New Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel saw his undefeated record in charge of the Blues go on Saturday as they were the victims of a stunning 5-2 Premier League upset against West Brom.

Christian Pulisic had given the hosts the lead only for Thiago Silva to be sent off two minutes later. It was in first-half stoppage time that the roof really fell in for the hosts, though, as Matheus Pereira scored twice.

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Callum Robinson and Mbaye Diagne added to WBA’s tally in the second half, and though Mason Mount gave Chelsea some late hope, Robinson struck again to seal an incredible success.

Chelsea records smashed in WBA defeat

It was Tuchel’s first defeat after a 14-game undefeated run, in which Chelsea had won 10 games and drawn four.

Defensive solidarity had been the hallmark of Tuchel’s success in the early weeks, yet the Blues’ rearguard disintegrated against the relegation-threatened outfit. Having conceded only two goals in his first 14 games, Tuchel watched his side concede five in 90 minutes against one of the weakest opponents they have faced.

Indeed, Tuchel’s side had not conceded a single goal in the German’s first 674 minutes at Stamford Bridge. They had been the first top-flight club to enjoy six straight home games without conceding under a single manager for close to 50 years.

Furthermore, West Brom became the first promoted team to score four goals in a top-flight away match against Chelsea since 1986, when Wimbledon achieved the feat.

Thiago Silva also made some unwanted history in the game with his dismissal. He became the oldest Chelsea player to be sent off in a Premier League match, as well as receiving the earliest Premier League dismissal for the Blues since Gary Cahill in August 2017.

Chelsea remain fourth in the Premier League but could fall as far as sixth by the end of the weekend. Tuchel, meanwhile, will take his side to Sevilla to face Porto in a Champions League clash on Wednesday.