TEAM NEWS: Sturridge starts while Mata is benched for Chelsea's clash against West Brom

Nov 17, 2012 2:11:00 PM

The forward is one of five changes for Roberto Di Matteo's side following their 1-1 draw against Liverpool last Sunday

Daniel Sturridge has been handed his first Premier League start of the season for Chelsea's Premier League clash against West Brom.

Roberto Di Matteo makes five changes from the side which secured a 1-1 draw against Liverpool last Sunday as David Luiz and Gary Cahill replace John Terry, who is sidelined with a knee injury, and Branislav Ivanovic, who drops to the bench.

In midfield, Oriol Romeu has been handed his second league start of the campaign as he partners John Obi Mikel. Juan Mata and Oscar drop to the bench as Sturridge and Victor Moses flank Fernando Torres in attack.

For West Brom, Steve Clarke makes three changes from the side which came away 2-1 victors at Wigan Athletic last Saturday. Romelu Lukaku is unable to play against his parent club, therefore Zoltan Gera will sit behind Shane Long in attack.

Elsewhere, Peter Odemwingie starts on the left wing ahead of Chris Brunt and Gabriel Tamas replaces Gareth McAuley at centre-back.

West Brom: Myhill; Jonas, Tamas, Olsson, Ridgewell; Yacob, Mulumbu; Odemwingie, Morrison, Gera; Long

Subs: L Daniels, Popov, Reid, Dorrans, Brunt, Rosenberg, Fortune.

Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Luiz, Bertrand; Romeu, Mikel; Moses, Hazard, Sturridge; Torres.

Subs: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Cole, Ramires, Oscar, Marin, Mata

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