LONDON -- Antonio Conte praised Chelsea's display of "maturity" and patience after Diego Costa's moment of brilliance broke down a stubborn West Brom at Stamford Bridge to move the Blues clear at the top of the Premier League.
Costa outmuscled Gareth McAuley and fired his 12th goal of the season into the top corner in the 76th minute to extend Chelsea's winning run in the Premier League to nine matches, but only after Tony Pulis' disciplined and organised visitors had frustrated them for long periods.
There was little evidence of the rampant Chelsea team that has laid waste to many opponents in the Premier League since late September, but after the match Conte insisted that he had anticipated a different kind of game.