Things had started well enough for the reigning champions as they got the better of a manic seven-minute, first-half spell, started when Oscar’s free-kick crept into the far corner.
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However, everything changed within 10 minutes of the restart, when Courtois felled Gomis as the France striker burst into the area on the break.
Begovic was handed his Chelsea debut in the most hard of circumstances, replacing Oscar, and his first act was to pick the ball out of the net after Gomis had scored the penalty.
Swansea did not stop there and Jefferson Montero forced Begovic into two fine saves, before Shelvey tried his luck direct from a corner.
But just minutes later the Swans were level when Ayew showed his predatory instinct to slot home after Chelsea keeper Thibault Courtois made a stunning save to deny Bafetimbi Gomis.
Bournemouth’s much-awaited game at Vitality Stadium was decided by Villa substitute Rudy Gestede’s header in the 72nd for last season’s FA Cup finalists.
Never before had the competition begun with a player scoring into his own goal until full back Walker inadvertently prodded the ball past Michel Vorm in the 22nd minute when desperately trying to dispossess Wayne Rooney. They took the game to Chelsea, with confidence and self belief, creating more chances than the hosts – and wasting a few that could possibly have turned 1 point into 3.
Costa wanted a penalty when he went down under a challenge from Fernandez, but referee Michael Oliver correctly pointed for a corner as the Swansea defender got a touch of the ball.
“The message to the players in pre-season, of course we also worked on defensive tactics, was that we want attacking players to express themselves”.
Oscar’s free kick from a wide left position went straight in, when Gomis should have easily headed it clear, while Willian’s cross saw a wicked deflection off Fernandez to fly over Fabianski and into the net.
“I think It was a tough one; I am lucky that the guys are really cool”. Never. So if today we lose, we lose.
Ivanovic clearly has a key role to play at Chelsea for years to come but if right-back is to continue to be his stage, his opponents must be very carefully managed.
Courtois was a game-time decision for the match after injuring his knee during warmups. The two goals were freak goals really, especially that second one but I thought we reacted well.
Shelvey has inherited the leadership of the Swansea midfield and he has been very good very often for some time now, despite not featuring for his country since October 2012.
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“They know that I am happy with the quality they had in the first half and with their spirit in the second half”.
