Premier League Leaders Chelsea dropped points at the Hawthorns against a rejuvenated West Brom side desperate for a result after Saturday's drubbing at Crystal Palace.

Branislav Ivanovic gave the Blues the lead on the stroke of half time from a corner, before Victor Anichebe equalised after heading in a Saido Berahino cross.

Thievy Bifouma was handed his full debut by Pepe Mel and he started alongside Saido Berahino and Morgan Amalfitano. John Terry was still missing for Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, but Fernando Torres returned to the bench.

The visitors predictably enjoyed the lion's share of the possession in the first half while Albion sat and defended as a unit. One hairy moment occurred when a hopeful David Luiz long ball was misjudged by the Albion back-line and Ben Foster could only push the ball into the path of Branislav Ivanovic, who could only sky the ball into the Birmingham Road End.

The signs were clear for all to see that Albion required vast improvements on the start at Selhurst Park on Saturday and the changes were evident. The Baggies were better on the ball, not misplacing passes as often and pushing forward when possible.

The Blues, as expected, dominated proceedings however. Willian, Oscar and Eden Hazard were all causing problems with their neat interchange, and crosses from Ivanovic and the Brazilian Oscar flashed across goal without a decisive touch.

In a rare counter attack, Berahino nodded down an Amalfitano cross for Bifouma, who couldn't quite manage a shot. Instead he laid it on a plate for Chris Brunt, who dragged a shot wide with his normally trusty left foot.

Willian's strike threatened to dip under the crossbar as Chelsea continued to look dangerous from a distance, yet Albion continued to hold their own. All that work was undone, though, on the stroke of half-time.

Willian's corner was flicked on by Luiz and Ivanovic, who netted the winner at Manchester City last week, was on hand to lash in the opener.

H-T: 0-1

The away side came out and played with the same rhythm initially after the break. Samuel Eto'o was played in by Willian and tested Foster with a stinging drive. The England keeper did well to palm the ball away to safety.

Oscar was next to try from distance and Foster had to do well again to keep his side in it.

Claudio Yacob required a replacement after picking up an injury and Youssouf Mulumbu came on, while Torres made his return in place of fellow striker Eto'o.

Albion's best opportunity fell to James Morrison, who side-footed over the bar from inside the penalty area. The hosts were beginning to reply and Mel made a very positive move by throwing Victor Anichebe on for Amalfitano and Matej Vydra for the impressive Thievy.

Mourinho showed his intentions to see out the game by hauling off Oscar and putting on defensive midfielder John Obi Mikel. The home side were beginning to ask questions now, particularly from set-pieces.

Gareth McAuley, on a couple of occasions, had the home fans off their seats as he rose to meet compatriot Brunt's corners, only to see his efforts narrowly fly over the bar.

For all of West Brom's pressure, the team from West London looked like they were going to hold firm, as Nemanja Matic and Gary Cahill were particularly impressive. Another Chelsea defender, David Luiz, should have been penalised for pulling Anichebe's shirt in the penalty area, something that went unnoticed.

Anichebe was not to be denied however. Albion's work was rewarded when the impressive Berahino delivered a beauty of a cross for the Nigerian, who flicked beyond Petr Cech to bring the scores level.

Berahino nearly grabbed a second assist when he supplied his captain Brunt on the edge of the area, but the Northern Irishman placed the ball just over the angle of the post and bar.

Mourinho threw on Mohamed Salah in a last ditch attempt to rescue the victory, but this was to no avail. The unstoppable Chelsea machine was momentarily halted by a team that have won one in 15. One thing you can't deny, however, is that the result very much reflected the balance of play