Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas was sent off in bizarre circumstances as the below-par Premier League champions, playing with 10 men for an hour, slumped 3-0 at West Bromwich Albion last night.

Saido Berahino struck twice for Albion but the main talking point at the Hawthorns was the first-half red card shown to Fabregas for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Referee Mike Jones was in the process of booking Chelsea striker Diego Costa after he tussled with Gareth McAuley when Fabregas, standing some 20 metres away, chipped the ball towards a crowd of players and it hit West Brom’s Chris Brunt on the head, prompting Jones to brandish a red card.

Chelsea’s third league defeat of the season – the first two coming at Newcastle and Spurs – was kickstarted by top scorer Bera-hino’s fine curling strike from outside the penalty area after nine minutes.

Keeper Thibaut Courtois prevented Chelsea, who won the title earlier this month with three games to spare, going into halftime further behind but West Brom won a penalty 29 seconds into second half after Berahino was brought down by John Terry.

Berahino converted to take his league tally to 14 for the season and Chris Brunt lashed in a third goal on the hour.

Loic Remy struck the post for Chelsea in the second half but the champions endured a miserable night in the Midlands.