Chelsea obliterated newly-promoted and hapless WBA 6-0 at Stamford Bridge with striker Didier Drogba the star with a first-day hat-trick from striker Didier Drogba.
The champions also netted twice through Florent Malouda and a low right-footed drive by Frank Lampard.
It took the Blues just six minutes to signal their intent to retain their crown and the goal came from wide man Malouda.
The Frenchman took advantage of a spill by Scott Carson from Drogba’s free kick.
The expected goal-glut failed to materialise at this point and it took until the stroke of half-time fro the home side to double their lead.
Again it was a Drogba free kick which did the damage but his direct strike on goal was helped by some woeful defending from the wall which opened up like Moses parting the waves.
On 55 minutes, the Ivory Coast hit man lashed home a sweet left-footer after Malouda’s corner was not cleared.
At three nil down WBA were dead and buried and Chelsea tore them apart.
Number four came on 63 minutes. Lampard took the ball from Malouda after excellent set-up play from Nicolas Anelka and slotted coolly home with his trusty right foot from just inside the WBA penalty area.
Five minutes later and it was Drogba’s third with a sweetly-taken strike from just outside the penalty area. The ball took an unfortunate deflection off Tamas but Drogba is certainly claiming it.
Number six came on the whistle. Again Anelka was the provider and he set up Malouda who raced onto the ball, sailed past Carson and whacked the ball home off the upright.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Ferreira (Ivanovic 59), Alex, Terry (c), Cole; Essien, Mikel, Lampard (Benayoun 63); Anelka, Drogba (Kalou 69), Malouda.
Scorers Malouda 5, 89, Drogba 45, 55, 67, Lampard 61.
Booked Ferreira 57.
West Brom (4-2-3-1): Carson (c); Jara, Tamas, Ibanez, Cech; Mulumbu, Brunt; Morrison, Dorrans (Cox 67), Thomas (Barnes 83); Bednar (Miller 67).
Referee Mark Clattenburg
Shots on target Chelsea 13 West Brom 5
Corners Chelsea 3 West Brom 1
Fouls Chelsea 13 West Brom 10
Offsides Chelsea 2 West Brom 1
Chelsea are away to Wigan next Saturday.