There was Christmas cheer for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, as goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard earned a 2-0 win.

It was a fully deserved three points for the Blues against a West Brom side set up to defend, but a Drogba header in the third minute quickly ended their hopes of taking anything back to the Midlands.

There then followed long periods of attacking football but little reward before Lampard's deft clip at the end of the first half secured the points.

The one thing every Chelsea fan had wished for was a first home league win since November 1, when Sunderland were sent back north on the wrong end of a 5-0 scoreline.

Looking for goals again, Luiz Felipe Scolari opted to pair Drogba and Nicolas Anelka together for the first time from the start. Joe Cole completed the attacking trio as Deco was left on the bench.

In defence, Branislav Ivanovic returned in the place of suspended John Terry, the skipper having been sent off at Everton on Monday. Frank Lampard captained the side in Terry's absence.

Visitors West Brom began with a lone striker in Craig Beattie, the forwards used in the 2-1 home win against Manchester City, Luke Moore and Roman Bednar, both relegated to the bench, while Christ Brunt came in on the left of midfield.

Chelsea couldn't have started better. The Christmas pudding had barely been digested as Drogba headed home his first league goal of the season, powering home Joe Cole's deep right-wing cross. It was the type of play we have been missing at Stamford Bridge in recent times, taking Drogba just three minutes to provide the magic.

An early goal was just what the doctor ordered. In the build-up to this game Anelka had spoken of the need to strike as quickly as possible, a boost that could open up the West Brom defence.

That didn't quite happen as they continued to sit deep, Chelsea having more than a share of the possession, and Lampard struck a vicious free-kick straight at Scott Carson.

The visitors did attack when allowed to though, Korean Kim finding the target with a left-footed drive after combining with James Morrison. Petr Cech was well-placed to hold the ball.

In the absence of wingers, with Joe Cole generally tucking inside in a free role, the Blues' width was provided by the advanced full-backs, José Bosingwa and Ashley Cole, who was making his 100th Chelsea appearance.

As always, Alex was also keen to join the fun and got into the West Brom penalty area before Bosingwa's cross was cut out. A free-kick gave the Brazilian another sight at goal, but he smashed into the wall. As the ball broke loose, Ashley Cole crossed for Lampard, but the midfielder's left-footed drive was mishit.

The other Cole was beginning to show his flair, deftly chipping through for Lampard, but an outstretched Jonas Olsson just managed to make an interception.

On 25 minutes Lampard was denied again as he broke into the area, hesitating as he chose between shot and pass.

At this point Abdoulay Meite was withdrawn with what looked like a hamstring problem, and so Leon Barnett replaced him in defence for the Baggies.

Lampard was becoming more and more central to Chelsea's attacking play, shooting wide again after Bosingwa had beaten Brunt and played a smart ball inside. Michael Ballack tested Carson too with a low drive, but like his colleague's earlier shot, it was too straight and the keeper could hold.

West Brom were proving resilient, and had not folded as some predicted they might upon falling behind. The fact they were still in the game though owed much to Carson, who produced a brilliant save from Ashley Cole 10 minutes before the break.

The left-back got into the area and struck hard at the near post, but the goalkeeper's fingertips pushed the ball onto the post and out. Cole followed up again, but struck straight at Carson when he should have scored.

Cole was inches from finding the net again only moments later, his lunge just not quite long enough to divert Bosingwa's low cross over the line, but it was academic as the linesman's flag went up.

Finally the second goal did arrive just before half-time as Lampard claimed his first goal since the start of November.

The Coles combined on the left, before Ashley continued into the box. He was tackled but the ball fell nicely for Lampard, who shimmied inside the box and chipped past Carson.

His side 2-0 up at the break, Scolari will have been very satisfied with the first 45 minutes, and would probably have been urging his charges on to attack more in the second period.

That task was one that would be undertaken without Bosingwa, who was replaced by Juliano Belletti at right-back.

The Brazilian was quickly into the action, linking up with Drogba before getting in behind the back line to cross.

The early stages suggested that things were going to be very similar as in the first half, Chelsea dominant but frustrating in the final third, and West Brom making the occasional undermanned break into home territory.

Belletti decided to try his own luck as again he got forward, but was probably wrong to attempt the chip from the edge of the area, and Carson was untested.

He had to be on his mettle when Drogba had a go a couple of minutes later though, and did well to hold the Ivoirian's powerful drive, which came after beating two men with a burst of pace and power. It was evidence that Drogba is returning to his best form.

The 30-year-old turned provider shortly afterwards as he slipped in Lampard, but once again the England man was a little wasteful in front of goal, trying to flick another effort over the advancing Carson, but the goalkeeper stood up and easily caught the ball.

His next save was all the more impressive, blocking from Drogba 10 yards out after Anelka had danced past half of the away defence. The forward followed up but couldn't beat the lunge of Paul Robinson on the line.

It was Drogba's last act of the game as he was withdrawn with an impressive display under his belt. Florent Malouda was the man to replace him.

For West Brom, Mowbray brought on Roman Bednar for Kim. The Czech forward had enjoyed an absorbing physical battle with John Terry at the Hawthorns in November, and would need close attention from Alex and Ivanovic.

The action was still at the other end going into the final quarter-hour with Bednar cutting a forlorn figure in the West Brom attack. Alex, so often keen to join the attack was the next Chelsea man to miss, heading wide from close range following a corner.

The Blues continued to press for a third but with the clock ticking down, thoughts turned to preserving energy ahead of Sunday's trip to Craven Cottage.

With a good home record, Fulham are likely to provide a sterner test than West Brom did at the Bridge, but Scolari will be pleased with a return to winning ways and the top of the table. Liverpool face Bolton later this evening.

By Andy Jones

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa (Belletti h-t), Alex, Ivanovic, A Cole; Ballack, Mikel, Lampard (c); J Cole (Deco 78), Drogba (Malouda 66), Anelka.

Goals Drogba 3, Lampard 45+1

Booked Ballack 73

West Brom (4-5-1): Carson; Zuiverloon, Meité (Barnett 26), Olsson, Robinson; Morrison, Kim, Greening (c), Koren, Brunt; Beattie (Moore 59).

Booked None