Chelsea overcame an in-form Swansea City side 3-1 at Stamford Bridge despite being pegged back just before half-time. The Blues showed grit and determination to fight back with a much better second half performance.
Swansea had several bodies in the box on numerous occasions, however, Chelsea managed to cut them open despite defending deep. The Blues are now 11 points clear at the top of the table having played one more game than second-placed Manchester City.
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Take a look at the important talking points from the game at Stamford Bridge.
#1 A goal made in Barcelona and scored at Stamford Bridge by Cesc Fabregas
Chelsea started off brightly with an attack in the first 50 seconds itself and kept mounting pressure on the visitors. But in the 19th minute of the game, after some brilliant work by Eden Hazard, Pedro found the onrushing Cesc Fabregas who toe-poked the ball into the goal to give Chelsea the lead.
It was a goal made in Barcelona by the two former Catalans and scored against a resilient Swansea City defence at Stamford Bridge. Fabregas managed to score in his landmark 300th Premier League appearance and went on to have a great game, dictating play and playmaking from the centre of the pitch.
The Blues continued to mount pressure throughout the game and the Spaniard was instrumental in finding space for his teammates. He also grabbed an assist later in the game.
#2 Fabianski had a blinder of a game until the 72nd minute
Lukas Fabianski got Swansea out of jail often in the first half. The Polish goalkeeper made a number of great saves to keep Chelsea out, especially a brilliant one in the 27th minute to deny Cesc Fabregas a second goal. The Spaniard deliberately volleyed the ball into the ground from a Diego Costa cross and it bounced menacingly towards the Swansea goal but Fabianski reacted just managed to tip the ball away with an amazing save.
He also commanded the box well and made another noteworthy save in the 47th minute to deny Eden Hazard. If it wasn’t for the Polish keeper, Chelsea would’ve scored a few more goals.
#3 Swansea barely tested Courtois but Fernando Llorente showed his class
Swansea’s game was all about defending well against the Blues and keeping things compact at the back. Hence, they barely tested Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal. However, Fernando Llorente showed everybody why he is a top striker even now, with a perfectly executed header.
Sigurdsson delivered a free-kick into a good area in the box and the towering Llorente got onto it in a flash although it seemed like nothing was on. The Spanish striker nodded the ball perfectly into the net, leaving the outstretched Courtois with no chance. It was a classy goal from the striker who has now scored nine goals for Swansea this season.
#4 Pedro’s great season continues
Fabregas and Pedro would combine again for Chelsea's second goal. The Blues had to wait, probe and battle against a well-drilled Swansea side. In the 71st minute, Fabregas found Pedro outside the box and in a bit of space. The winger cut onto his left foot and unleashed one of his trademark curling efforts at goal.
This time, unlike in the opening 50 seconds, he managed to hit the target and score. However, the ball bounced right in front of Fabianski in the Swansea goal and somehow crept in. The Polish keeper should have probably saved that goal, in hindsight.
But take nothing away from the Spaniard, who scored an important goal for his side yet again. He has now scored 12 goals in all competitions for Chelsea this season and particularly enjoys scoring at the Bridge.
#5 Diego Costa wraps it up clinically to give Chelsea a good home record
Diego Costa applied the finish after Eden Hazard turned the Swansea defence inside out with unbelievable skill down the left flank. The Belgian produced a great assist for his teammate Costa whose strike was a clinical one with his left foot.
It gave the Blues a two-goal cushion that sealed the victory. Costa has now scored 16 Premier League goals for his club and is only behind Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez in the race for the Golden Boot.
Chelsea now have an impressive record of consecutive home wins in all competitions. The Blues have now won 12 games on the trot at Stamford Bridge and could go on an unbeaten run like they did when Mourinho was at the helm, when they managed 77 games unbeaten on the trot.
