Costa scored two goals, earned his third booking of the season and became embroiled in a running battle with Jordi Amat as Swansea ended Conte’s flawless start to life as Chelsea head coach, courtesy of a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty and a controversial Leroy Fer goal. Summer signing Kante was given the responsibility to protect the back four from the holding midfield position. Fer ran through and hesitated before sending a weak shot through Courtois’ legs, the ball squirming over the line before Cahill could make a clearance.
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Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin changed his usual formation to stop Chelsea in their tracks.
As expected, Chelsea dominated the game from the start.
Costa, like him or loathe him, is Chelsea’s go-to man right now. After Swansea failed to clear the ball in their box, Oscar found Costa with a pass.
A fired-up Costa had given the visitors a first-half lead and salvaged a point with a thumping overhead kick after Gylfi Sigurdsson, with a penalty, and Leroy Fer had capitalised on defensive howlers to instigate a quickfire turnaround. “The spirit was good but we are disappointed to only get one point”.
Terry’s participation for Liverpool’s Premier League visit to Stamford Bridge on Friday was thrown into doubt when he pulled up in the closing stages of the match.
Marriner’s decision to allow Swansea’s second goal was an absolute shocker.
As John Terry flicked on a corner the Spanish worldwide was unmarked two metres from goal but directed the ball wide.
Antonio Conte’s side dropped their first points of the season as they controlled the early part of the game, before the Spaniard gave Chelsea an early lead. Now we must look forward and prepare for the next game [against Liverpool on Saturday morning AEST].
“No doubt he will go back and once he sees it, he’ll know he’s made a mistake 100%”.
He added: “I think we can play with the shape we had in the first half. It’s a big mistake”. We were very good to draw and also to have two chances to win the game.
The Spanish global scored his team’s two goals on Sunday, was booked and was also on the receiving end of rough treatment from Swansea defenders Jordi Amat and Federico Fernandez, both of whom were cautioned for fouls on Costa. “We are happy with our result”.
Willian had Fabianski anxious just two minutes into the second half with his effort from the right after cutting inside, but the ball flew narrowly wide.
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In his interview in the latest edition of Chelsea’s official magazine, the striker also spoke about the work he puts in every game to help the team achieve the only thing that matters, victory. “There is no problem between me and Neil”. “He will be out for approximately 10 days”, Chelsea said in a statement.
