It was not a happy homecoming for former Chelsea player Roberto Di Matteo on his return to Stamford Bridge as a manager.
The Blues entertain West Brom on Saturday as the Premier League resumes after the international break with Jose Mourinho's side unbeaten in all competitions this season.
Chelsea have not lost at home to the Baggies since 1978 but none of their victories were as emphatic as the 6-0 rollover by Carlo Ancelotti’s men in August 2010.
Di Matteo had led his West Brom side to promotion to the Premier League in his first season his charge after they finished as Championship runners-up to Newcastle.
But his first managerial experience in the top flight against the team he played for between 1996-2002 was one he would learn a harsh lesson from.
Defending champions Chelsea sent out the strongest signal that they were intent on retaining their title, and shell-shocked West Brom didn’t know what had hit them, with Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba playing instrumental roles.
Drogba’s set-pieces were a source of anxiety for the Baggies all day, and when his opening free-kick was juggled by Scott Carson, on-fire Malouda had no qualms with slamming the ball home from close range.
And Drogba struck again before right on the stroke of half time, with a direct free-kick, deflecting off Gabriel Tamas before flying into the net – via the gigantic hole left by the wall.
Although West Brom tried to play their way back into contention, rampant Chelsea weren’t to be denied, as Drogba slammed home his second of the day from a goalmouth scramble.
Frank Lampard added a fourth from close range, before the Ivorian striker completed his hat-trick – thanks to another deflection off Tamas.
A ragged West Brom were left begging for the final whistle, but not before Malouda added his brace with a fine finish after rounding Carson.
The Blues finished the season as runners-up to Manchester United while the
heavy defeat ensured that Di Matteo endured a less-than-impressive Premier League managerial debut – and was sacked by February after which West Brom lost just two of their last 13 games to end 11th.
But it didn't all end badly for the Italian.
Four months later he was back at Stamford Bridge as assistant to Andre Villas-Boas and when the Portuguese was sacked the following March, Di Matteo took caretaker charge.
And he led the Blues to their first Champions League trophy with victory over Bayern Munich in their own backyard and also added the FA Cup with a win against Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Di Matteo will once again face his old team on Tuesday night when Chelsea make the trip to Germany to meet the side the Italian took charge of last month - Schalke - in the Champions League.
Keep up to date with all the build-up, matchday and post-game reaction to Chelsea v West Brom right here on GetWestLondon
