Ten-man Chelsea stumble
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insisted he did not want to discuss Michael Oliver's decision to give goalkeeper Thibault Courtois a red card, but gave a hint of what he made of it. "It was on day one that we were punished. But it was not on day one that I opened my mouth." Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insisted he did not want to discuss Michael Oliver's decision to give goalkeeper Thibault Courtois a red card, but gave a hint of what he made of it. "It was on day one that we were punished. But it was not on day one that I opened my mouth."
Jack Pitt-Brooke
For Jose Mourinho this was far from the perfect start to Chelsea’s title defence, nor the ideal preparation for next Sunday’s trip to Manchester City.
His team were outplayed at Stamford Bridge by Swansea City, who held them to a 2-2 draw which flattered the champions. Chelsea, despite their well-earned status, looked no better than they did in their Community Shield defeat by Arsenal last Sunday, curiously and uncharacteristically open in defence and midfield.
They will certainly need to defend better at the Etihad Stadium next Sunday. They will do so with Asmir Begovic making his full debut, after Thibaut Courtois was sent off early in the first half for a professional foul on Bafe Gomis as he ran on to Jonjo Shelvey’s pass.
Swansea converted the penalty to draw them level and, on another day, Chelsea would have lost playing like this for 35 minutes with 10 men.
Mourinho insisted he did not want to discuss Michael Oliver's decision. “Just because the first time I can control myself,” he explained, before giving a hint of what he made of the red card. "It was on day one that we were punished. But it was not on day one that I opened my mouth.”
The decision was marginal – Gomis was angling away from goal – but there was no doubt that this Chelsea performance was not up to the required level. Swansea found it remarkably easy to cut through the home side’s back line – and that was before Courtois was sent off.
Swansea came to Stamford Bridge with more ambition and quality than many teams will show here this season. They were not cowed by the champions but played their own expansive, attractive game. They created more chances than Chelsea and played with more purpose.
“I set the team out to be offensive and to showcase our talent,” said their manager Garry Monk, who lined up debutant Andre Ayew and Jefferson Montero – both excellent – either side of the tireless Gomis up front. "The message to the team is we can take on anyone. I wanted the team to show what we can do.”
Swansea did that from the start and Gomis had two early chances to put them ahead. He headed one Shelvey corner just wide before racing away from John Terry, only for the Chelsea captain to catch him up just in time.
Chelsea knew they were in a game and soon went ahead, with the first of two slightly fortunate first-half goals. Oscar had a free-kick wide on the left, which he whipped in low. Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic tried to touch it but missed. Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, expecting a touch, stayed central as the ball flew into the far corner.
Unperturbed, Swansea continued to play and found a deserved equaliser from Ayew. When Courtois saved another Gomis header, Ayew got one shot away before collecting the rebound, dragging the ball into a shooting position and hitting it into the net.
For all Swansea’s courage, they did not have much luck on their side and went in at the break 2-1 down. Willian had possession on the left and tried to curl in a right-footed cross. The ball hit Federico Fernandez and looped high into the air, over Fabianski and into the far top corner.
Swansea started the second half as positively as they had begun the first. This time, though, they got their reward. Shelvey played in Gomis, who, after being brought down by Courtois, converted the penalty. Montero tested Begovic twice soon after, but Chelsea finished the game the stronger side.
Mourinho completed the match with Nemanja Matic and Kurt Zouma playing in midfield and Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Falcao all working away up, front but it was still not enough to force the win.
Mourinho admitted that the result could have been worse. “It is a bad result. Fundamentally I am happy with the quality in the first half and the spirit in the second half. We are at peace.”
Chelsea: (4-2-3-1) Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas (Zouma, 76), Matic; Willian (Falcao, 84), Oscar (Begovic, 54), Hazard; Costa.
Swansea: (4-2-3-1) Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Shelvey, Ki (Cork, 41); Ayew, Sigurdsson, Montero (Routledge, 71); Gomis (Eder, 79).
Referee: Michael Oliver
Man of the Match: Ayew (Swansea)
Match rating: 9/10 – The Independent on Sunday