Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Premier League clash between Chelsea and Swansea City from Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw away to Burnley in their last league match on February 12, but Antonio Conte's side are still eight points clear of second-place Manchester City at the top of the table.
Swansea, meanwhile, have won three of their last four in the league to move four points and three places clear of the relegation zone.
Swansea are unbeaten in their last three Premier League matches with Chelsea and gained a 2-2 draw in the corresponding match last season.
2.01pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from the English capital as league leaders Chelsea welcome in-form Swansea City to Stamford Bridge. The hosts will be looking to move 11 points clear of second-place Manchester City, but Swansea have shown serious improvement under the leadership of former Chelsea coach Paul Clement. Be sure to stay tuned for all the action!
2.04pmChelsea won six of their first eight Premier League meetings with Swansea – remaining unbeaten in the process – but the Blues are actually winless in their last three with the Welsh outfit. Indeed, Swansea managed a 2-2 draw in this stadium on the opening weekend of last season, which proved to be their first ever Premier League point at Stamford Bridge. Can they make it four unbeaten?
2.07pmIt was also 2-2 between these two teams when they met at the Liberty Stadium in the reverse match earlier this season. That result came during a difficult period for Chelsea, but they have not really looked back since then. Recent history suggests that there will be goals this afternoon, with Swansea netting four times in their last two league visits to the home of Chelsea.
2.10pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the English capital. Swansea have actually had two weeks to prepare for this match, but Chelsea were in FA Cup fifth-round action last weekend – winning 2-0 at Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers to book their spot in the quarter-finals. Right, let's take a look at the two teams here...
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2.13pmTEAMS!
CHELSEA: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro, Costa, Hazard
SWANSEA: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson; Fer, Cork, Carroll; Routledge, Llorente, Sigurdsson
2.16pmThe big news in the Chelsea camp is that Cesc Fabregas retains his spot in midfield following the 2-0 win over Wolves in the FA Cup last weekend. Fabregas's involvement means that Nemanja Matic must make do with a spot on the bench, while the midfielder becomes the first Spanish player to make 300 Premier League appearances. Elsewhere, Pedro is again chosen over Willian as Antonio Conte reverts to the majority of players that have taken to the team clear at the top of the Premier League.
2.19pmAs for Swansea, head coach Paul Clement has made just one change to the team that started the 2-0 win over Leicester earlier this month. That alteration is enforced, with Nathan Dyer's Achilles problem opening up a position for Wayne Routledge. Jack Cork will again skipper Swansea from central midfield, while January signing Jordan Ayew remains on the bench for the Welsh outfit.
2.22pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in London. I shall speak about Swansea and their recent resurgence a little bit later, but let's start with the league leaders Chelsea. Conte's side will enter this match top of the pile on 60 points – eight points clear of second-place Man City, who do not play in the league this weekend.
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2.25pmChelsea responded to a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on April 1 by beating Leicester City and Hull City, but the Blues have actually drawn two of their last three in the league. That said, one of those draws was a 1-1 away to Liverpool, while they beat Arsenal 3-1 in their last home league game at the start of the month. All things considered, the Blues are still in a very strong position in the table.
2.28pmAs mentioned, Conte's side booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where they will take on Manchester United, with a 2-0 win at Wolves last weekend. That quarter-final is scheduled to take place on March 11, but they have two important league fixtures before then – this match and then a trip to West Ham United in the league on March 6. Conte will be looking for maximum points.
2.32pmChelsea will face Man City and Man United in the league between the space of 10 days in April, but their next four in England's top flight are very winnable. Indeed, after hosting Swansea and travelling to West Ham, they will travel to Stoke City and host Crystal Palace. It is difficult to imagine the leaders dropping too many points before the month of April rolls around.
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2.35pmThere is no question that the absence of European football has aided Chelsea's league form this term and it does appear that they will breeze to the title this season. Defensively, they have the joint-best record this season – just 18 goals conceded – alongside Tottenham, although both Arsenal and Liverpool (54) have scored more Premier League goals than Chelsea (52) this season.
2.38pmAs for Swansea, a record of seven wins, three draws and 15 defeats has brought the Welsh outfit 24 Premier League points, and left them in 15th position in the table. On paper, that does not sound great, but it is fantastic considering that the team were languishing in the relegation zone for long spells and looked hopeless having sacked two managers during the first half of the season.
2.42pmSwansea suffered a 4-0 defeat at home to Arsenal on January 14, but responded to that embarrassment with a 3-2 success away to Liverpool. The Welsh side then beat Southampton at home, before suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat at Man City. Their clash with Leicester on February 12 was dubbed a relegation six-pointer and Clement's side came through that match as 2-0 winners.
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2.45pmThe Swans are only four points clear of 18th-place Hull City as things stand, but they have some serious momentum, which cannot be said for the likes of Bournemouth, Middlesbrough and Leicester, who continue to fall down the table. It is a tough ask for Swansea this afternoon, but their next four in the league are Burnley (H), Hull (A), Bournemouth (A) and Middlesbrough (H).
2.48pmIn Gylfi Sigurdsson, Swansea also have, for me, one of the finest players in the division. Indeed, the Iceland international has been involved in more Premier League goals than any other midfielder this season (16, eight goals and eight assists). He has also scored four Premier League goals against Chelsea, although two of those came during his time with Tottenham. Swansea will need him to perform here!
2.52pm
Matchday!!!! 🔙 in @premierleague!!!! 🔙in action!!!! Come on lads!!!! Come on @SwansOfficial!!!! #CHESWA pic.twitter.com/cdXmJDKrfG
— Borja Bastón (@BorjaBaston) February 25, 2017
2.55pmHere we go then. Both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff at Stamford Bridge. Swansea have been extremely impressive in recent weeks, but I am finding it very hard to back the Welsh side this afternoon. I think Chelsea will have to be patient, although I expect the hosts to record all the points. For the neutral, let's hope for an entertaining affair in the English capital here.
0 minKICKOFF! Chelsea kick things off at Stamford Bridge...
2 min... as expected, Chelsea have taken control of the possession in the early exchanges of this clash. Swansea will be more than happy to sit deep and absorb the pressure early on, but the visitors have a number of talented ball players in their team. You sense that Swansea need to start well here.
2 minHalf-chance for Chelsea as Fabregas finds Pedro on the edge of the Swansea box, but the Spaniard curls his effort over the crossbar. It has been a fast start from the Premier League leaders.
4 minFabianski has to get down to keep out a strike from Costa, but the whistle had already been blown after Pedro pulled the arm of Olsson inside the Swansea box. Very quick start from the home side.
6 minBacks-against-the-wall defending from Swansea at the moment as Chelsea continue to force the issue. The visitors have had a couple of chances to break, but the door has been closed pretty quickly on both occasions. It must be said that there is also a very good atmosphere inside the ground.
9 minEnd-to-end football in the last couple of minutes as Chelsea survive a period of pressure before launching a quick counter-attack, but Costa cannot escape the attentions of Sigurdsson inside the Swansea box. It is a very open game at the moment as both teams commit numbers in the final third.
11 minSwansea are playing with a lot of confidence at the moment as they pass and probe in tight areas, but we have not seen too much from Fernando Llorente in the opening 11 minutes here.
13 minIt is the Swansea supporters that can be heard as this first period at the Bridge continues to gather pace. Chelsea are the more productive in possession, but Swansea have already shown their attacking threat on more than one occasion. It is a very good game to watch at the moment.
14 minCHANCE! Best chance of the match for Chelsea as Hazard sets up Fabregas inside the Swansea box, but the midfielder's effort is just deflected wide of Fabianski's post.
17 minYou just get the feeling that the first goal this afternoon - if there indeed is one - could be vital in terms of the final result. Hazard takes a tumble for Chelsea after being felled by Fer, but the resulting corner from Fabregas is disappointing and the away side can clear their lines once again.
19 minGOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Swansea (Fabregas)
20 minChelsea make the breakthrough in the 19th minute of this match as Fabregas, on his 300th Premier League appearance, bundles the ball into the bottom corner after collecting a cross from the right.
22 minFabregas has been the best player on the pitch so far this afternoon, and it is fitting that the midfielder has scored on his 300th Premier League appearance. Swansea are in trouble here.
24 minSwansea just cannot get hold of Chelsea's two wing-backs at the moment and the home side look dangerous each time they break into the final third of the field. Another for Chelsea and you sense that could be game over - Swansea have not been able to create an opportunity thus far here.
24 minNaughton plays a blind ball back to his goalkeeper and Fabianski has to scramble back to make the clearance. Almost an own-goal from the Swans defender there. It would have been disastrous!
27 minSwansea need to find a way of getting Llorente in this football match, but Cahill and Luiz are both very strong in the air and therefore delivering high balls might not be the away side's best bet. Llorente has found himself with possession on a couple of occasions, but he is just so isolated.
28 minSAVE! Wonderful save from Fabianski as the Swansea goalkeeper keeps out a close-range volley from Fabregas, who had bene given the freedom of the away side's box!
30 minIt is a tough game for Swansea at the moment. The visitors just cannot seem to live with Chelsea's movement as Fabregas, Hazard, Pedro and Costa continue to combine in the final third. While the score remains 1-0, the visitors will always be in the match, but a second seems on its way here.
33 minSwansea have managed to enjoy a spell of possession in the last couple of minutes, but they are not really going anywhere with the ball. Chelsea are so incredibly comfortable at the moment.
35 minLittle over 10 minutes of the first period remaining at Stamford Bridge and Fabregas's effort in the 19th minute remains the difference between the two teams. As it stands, Chelsea are moving 11 points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. But Swansea are still alive here.
35 minBOOKING! Naughton (Swansea) is booked for a tug on Hazard.
37 minNot an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with both teams enjoying spells of possession. It could have been a lot worse for Swansea at this stage of the match.
37 minBOOKING! Olsson (Swansea) is booked for a rash tackle on Moses.
38 minChelsea have the chance to threaten from the resulting free kick, but Cahill can only head wide of the post. Costa actually got in his teammate's way, and the centre-back is not too pleased.
39 minNaughton needs to be careful here as the Swansea right-back, having already been booked, brings Fabregas to the deck. Both Swansea full-backs are now on yellow cards in this match.
42 minSmart defending from Mawson as the Swansea centre-back manages to reach and clear a pass from Fabregas, which looked to be dropping onto the foot of Pedro. Fabregas has been absolutely sensational for the home side in this first period. Matic has a real fight to get back in Conte's XI.
44 minBetter from Swansea as Fer finds space outside the Chelsea box and looks to slide a pass into Llorente, but the weight of the ball is just too strong. It must be said that this has been a very open and entertaining first period at Stamford Bridge. More of the same after the interval please.
45 minMoses is flagged offside after a super piece of defending from Olsson had just prevented the Chelsea wing-back from having a clear shot on goal. Just one additional minute to be played.
45 min+2GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Swansea (Llorente)
45 min+3Oh my word! Swansea level in the second minute of added time at the end of the first period as Llorente heads a wonderful Sigurdsson free kick into the top corner. Stunning equaliser here!
45 min+3HALF-TIME: Chelsea 1-1 Swansea
3.48pmWell then! The half-time whistle blows and Swansea are level at Stamford Bridge courtesy of that bullet header from Llorente in the second minute of added time at the end of the first period. Chelsea had been so comfortable on home soil, but we enter the half-time break on level terms.
3.53pmSTATISTICS! Chelsea have dominated the possession with 68%, while they hit the target with two of their seven first-half attempts. Swansea, on the other hand, only had one attempt on target in the first period and that was Llorente's header. Two bookings to report - Naughton and Olsson for Swansea.
3.58pmBENCH WATCH! Chelsea boss Conte has plenty of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with the likes of Willian, Batshuayi and Loftus-Cheek all capable of making an impact. Swansea, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Jordan Ayew, Borja Boston and Dutch international Narsingh.
46 minRESTART! Swansea resume the action at Stamford Bridge...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers already have alterations in mind for the second 45 minutes. Game on then.
48 minSAVE! Super goalkeeping from Fabianski as the Swansea stopper gets down to keep out a low strike from Hazard, who had bundled his way into the away side's penalty box.
50 minSigurdsson has another chance to deliver a deep free kick into the Chelsea box, but this time the Iceland international gets it all wrong and the ball drops into the arms of the waiting Courtois.
51 minGood pressure from Chelsea at the start of this second period as they look to regain the lead on home soil. However, Swansea are always dangerous and I just have a feeling about the visitors here.
52 minCROSSBAR! Fabregas hits the top of the crossbar after meeting a low cross from Hazard. Chelsea are getting closer to a second goal as Swansea ride their luck once again here.
54 minIt is all Chelsea at the moment as Moses has one blocked behind following more super work from Hazard and Fabregas. Swansea need to have a way of getting hold of the ball here.
56 minSwansea have just started to enjoy more of the ball in dangerous positions and the away side fancy their chances here as Carroll continues to break forward from midfield. We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be looking at their bench and thinking of possible solutions.
58 minLittle over 30 minutes of football remaining at Stamford Bridge. Are Chelsea going to be held to another 1-1 draw? Still a lot of football to be played, but Swansea are comfortable at the moment.
61 minChelsea are finding it difficult to break through the Swansea midfield at the moment and it must be said that the visitors have been very impressive defensively this afternoon. When Fabregas made the breakthrough, it did appear that Chelsea would score three or four, but Swansea had other ideas.
63 minAs it stands, Chelsea are moving 10 points clear at the top of the table, but another draw would again hand hope to the chasing pack, especially second-place Manchester City. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match, but Swansea could easily net it!
65 minPass, pass, pass from Chelsea. Defend, defend, defend from Swansea. Still all square.
68 minNot an awful lot from Swansea in terms of attacking football in the last 10 minutes or so, but Chelsea are really struggling to create opportunities here. You sense that chances will arrive in the latter stages, but for the moment, Swansea are quite comfortable dealing with the pressure.
69 minPENALTY SHOUT! Swansea have a shout for a penalty as Azpilicueta appears to handle inside the Chelsea box, but the referee is not interested. Looked a clear spot kick for me.
70 minOh my word. That really should have been a spot kick for Swansea!
71 minPENALTY SHOUT! Mawson dives into Costa inside the Chelsea box and now the home side have a big shout for a spot kick. Again, the referee is just not interested.
72 minGOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Swansea (Pedro)
73 minChelsea regain the lead at Stamford Bridge as Pedro squeezes one under Fabianski from distance. It is a big error from the Swansea goalkeeper, who has been so impressive this afternoon.
75 minBOOKING! Luiz (Chelsea) is booked for an elbow on Llorente.
76 minCHELSEA SUB! Matic replaces Pedro for the home side.
77 minSWANSEA SUB! Ayew replaces Carroll for Swansea.
79 minLittle over 10 minutes of this Premier League match remaining and Swansea are still very much in the argument as the visitors prepare to make their second change of the afternoon.
81 minBOOKING! Fer (Swansea) is booked for a foul on Costa.
81 minSWANSEA SUB! Narsingh replaces Routledge for the away side.
84 minGOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Swansea (Costa)
85 minChelsea surely seal all the points this afternoon as Costa volleys a Hazard cross home from close range. Swansea were pushing and pushing, and they have intimately conceded a third goal here.
86 minCHELSEA SUBS! Zouma and Willian replace Hazard and Moses for the home side.
89 minChelsea are closing on all three points, which will move them 11 points clear at the top of the table. Swansea have been impressive this afternoon, but they are going to fall short in this match.
90 min+1We are into the first of four additional minutes at Stamford Bridge.
90 min+3Not an awful lot to report in stoppage time here as Chelsea keep hold of the possession.
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Chelsea 3-1 Swansea
4.53pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Chelsea running out 3-1 winners over Hull as the Blues move 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Can anyone stop them?! Thanks for joining Sports Mole once again. Until next time!
