Chelsea destroy WBA to go top.

Chelsea went to the top of the Barclays Premiership for the first time this season but coach Jose Mourinho insists it counts for nothing.

When Chelsea hit the summit of the Premiership last season it was after they had beaten West Brom ( and they were never overhauled.

However, Mourinho would not be drawn on whether his side had the capacity to remain leaders for the remainder of the season.

Three straight wins and clean sheets have put the reigning champions two points clear and Mourinho was satisfied with his team's work on a night when their opponents were totally outplayed.

Mourinho said: "We are top because Manchester United and Charlton didn't play. It doesn't matter for me ( what matters is my team's improvement. We played better, used the ball and scored goals. We had a solid defence and our midfield was very good. I am very happy. But for me it is not really being top."

Chelsea were untroubled by an Albion side that failed to get one shot on target and goals from Frank Lampard, his 50th and 51st for the club on his 149th consecutive Premiership appearance, together with others from Didier Drogba and Joe Cole destroyed the visitors.

For Lampard the joy was clear for all to see as the team hailed his opening goal with a "cradle rocking" celebration. It was a tribute to the birth of Lampard's daughter three days ago.

Lampard later said: "It has been best week of my life. This has put the icing on it. I am so proud. I heard the fans singing my daughter's name. She's only three days old. It took me three years before they started singing mine.

"I have been staying at the hospital with my girlfriend and the baby. I can't say I've had the best sleep but I'm so proud. The manager has been fantastic. I didn't train on Monday and the manager asked if I was OK. Nothing was going to stop me playing. I'm really proud of scoring my 50th goal.

"John Terry and I decided before the game how we would celebrate. I've seen it done before but I couldn't resist it."

Mourinho said: "I could guess they would do some kind of celebration like that because everybody was so enthusiastic in the dressing room for him to be a father."

Lampard, who was diagnosed with a larger-than-average heart at the start of the season, was in magnificent form throughout but Albion were never in danger of beating Chelsea

Mourinho said: "I think they could do no better. From the way we played in the first half, they could not do better. We moved the ball very well and they couldn't use it. When they started to be direct, my players in defence ( William Gallas and John Terry ( feel at home. I think Albion had no chance." Mourinho was also pleased the performance of Cole, adding: "I was pleased with Joe Cole. He spoke on the pitch and not in the media."

Albion boss Bryan Robson believes his side paid the price for gifting Chelsea two goals.

He said: "We created our own problems in the first half. The way we set about the game was good but gifted Chelsea their first two goals. When you give goals away like that to Chelsea, there is no way back with their defence. They didn't create much in the first half and didn't break us down. We gave them the goals."

Robson now believes Chelsea's only real rivals for the title are his old side Manchester United.

He said: "Chelsea play the same way they did last season only they are stronger. I think everybody sees them as the team to beat.

"There's only Manchester United who can challenge them."