Chelsea 4-2 Swansea: Diego Costa bags hat-trick and Loic Remy nets debut goal after John Terry scores early own goal
- Hat-trick hero Diego Costa took his goal tally to seven goals in four games since joining the Blues
- Fellow striker Loic Remy also managed to get himself on the scoresheet at Stamford Bridge
- An own goal by John Terry saw Swansea take the lead against Jose Mourinho's side
- Jonjo Shelvey scored a late consolation goal for the Swans
If Diego Costa had cost £320million, he'd still be worth it.
What an introduction to English football the Spain international has made.
He
took his goal tally to seven in four games since arriving from Atletico
Madrid for £32million deal with a hat-trick against Swansea as Chelsea
stayed top of the Barclays Premier League.
Something had to give with two 100 per cent records on the line.
Chelsea's
start to the season has only served to strengthen the notion Jose
Mourinho's side will be the team to beat in this season's title race.
Chelsea summer signing Diego Costa showed his class by netting a hat-trick against Swansea City
Former Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy scored on his Chelsea debut to make it 4-1
John Terry congratulates Diego Costa following his hat-trick against Garry Monk's side
Diego Costa levelled the scoring just before the interval by scoring a header past Swansea goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski
Chelsea captain John Terry sunk to his knees after his own goal gave Swansea the lead after just 11 minutes
There
chances of a fourth consecutive victory were reinforced by the news
that Costa was fit to start following a hamstring injury sustained on
international duty.
Swansea's impressive opening to the new campaign hasn't been so expected, though.
Victories
over Manchester United, Burnley and West Brom have eased early fears
that Swansea were destined for a relegation battle.
And
their start at Stamford Bridge merely underlined the impressive
progress made under Garry Monk as they stormed into an 11th minute lead.
It
was slick, too. Left-back Neil Taylor latching on to Ki Sung-Yeung's
defence splitting pass before rolling in a dangerous low cross from the
left.
The
Welshman's pass was destined for Nathan Dyer at the back-post, but John
Terry, in attempting to cut out the cross, thumped the ball past
Thibault Courtois and into his own net.
John Terry looked dismayed after Swansea took the lead at Stamford Bridge against Jose Mourinho's side
Swansea celebrate their opening goal after John Terry managed to score an own goal past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois
The travelling support were in frenzy, their manager, however, was motionless on the touchline.
He must have been bubbling over inside, though, as his side's excellent stat to the season showed zero sign of letting up.
Bafetimbi
Gomes went within a whisker of doubling Swansea's advantage three
minutes later, firing narrowly wide from 20 yards after a bulldozing run
through the heart of Chelsea.
The
visitors went closer in the 19th minute, Wayne Routledge sending a
right-foot curler inches wide of Courtois' far post after Dyer tormented
Cesar Azpilicueta.
Dyer's mesmerising run would have impressed England manager Roy Hodgson, who was at Stamford Bridge.
Hodgson has so far ignored the burgeoning clamour to include Dyer in his England plans.
More performances similar to his first-half display against Swansea then Hodgson won't be able to ignore Dyer for much longer.
If Swansea were 3-0 up by this point, Mourinho could have had no complaints.
The
visitors were bright, inventive and dangerous; Gomis' strength in a
lone striker role reminiscent of a certain Didier Drogba.
Chelsea on the other hand were less impressive. Lethargic, sloppy and inefficient.
Diego Costa, who had to undergo a late fitness test, managed to shake off a slight knock to start against Swansea City
Fans, officials and players paid tribute to Chelsea fan Lord Attenborough who passed away on August 24
Chelsea's starting line-up applaud to celebrate the life of legendary film director Lord Attenborough
Chelsea paid homage to Lord Attenborough by placing him on the cover of their official matchday programme
Cesc Fabregas is congratulated by his team-mates after he sets up Diego Costa for the striker's second goal
Diego Costa jumps in the air after scoring against Swansea - while Chelsea fans celebrate his goal in the Stamford Bridge stands
Slowly but surely, however, Mourinho's men awoke from their Saturday afternoon slumber.
Andre
Schurrle and Cesc Fabregas wasted free-kicks, both won by Eden Hazard,
in threatening positions, before Oscar failed to direct a header
goalwards following Branislav Ivanovic's cross.
The
Brazil international saw his low effort from the edge of penalty area
saved by Lukasz Fabianski, before Hazard fired a cross-come-shot wide
after Fabregas' excellent pass.
Chelsea weren't merely turning the screw, they were tightening it.
So
it was no surprise when the home side pulled level in the final minute
of the first half. The scorer wouldn't have been a surprise either.
It was, of course, Costa with the simplest of headers from Fabregas' corner after some slack Swansea marking.
The
Spaniard's goal saw him become the first Chelsea player to score in his
first four games for the club since John Meredith achieved the feat in
1928.
Costa
nearly scored again in the 52nd minute, but his goalward volley from
another Fabregas corner deflected off Hazard before flying wide.
But
he didn't have wait much longer, just three more minutes in fact,
finishing off an attractive Blues move to score his sixth of the season -
one more Premier League goal than Fernando Torres scored in the whole
of last season.
Fabregas
and Hazard cut Swansea's left-hand side open with some intricate
passing leaving Costa to fire the Spaniard's cut-back past Fabianski to
put Chelsea ahead.
Their
abject start to the first half was a distant memory now; Chelsea were
vibrant and threatening - looking every inch title contenders.
And
who else but Costa sealed all three points for Mourinho's men with
another simple finish, tapping past Fernandes after Ramires' mishit shot
from the edge of the area.
Costa
was given a huge ovation, perhaps the biggest round of applause coming
from owner Roman Abramovich, as he was replaced by debutant Loic Remy
with 20 minutes left on the clock.
And
it took the France international just 10 minutes to open his Blues
account, firing an unstoppable right foot drive past Fabianski after
Oscar's pass before Jonjo Shelvey scored a consolation for Swansea four
minutes from time.
Swansea's defenders such as Ashley Williams, pictured, failed to cope with the outstanding Diego Costa
Chelsea new boy Loic Remy replaced fellow striker Diego Costa in the 72nd minute
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho congratulated hat-trick hero Diego Costa after the Spanish striker was replaced by Loic Remy
Loic Remy was in buoyant mood after he grabbed a goal on his debut against the Swans at the Bridge
Defenders John Terry and Gary Cahill congratulate Loic Remy after the Frenchman scores on his Chelsea debut
Ramires also congratulated new team-mate Loic Remy following the Frenchman's first goal for the west London outfit
Swansea striker Bafetibis Gomis of
Swansea beats Thibaut Courtois and Gary Cahill but fails to score during
the Premier League encounter
Swansea boss Garry Monk raises his
hands in the air after watching his side concede four goals against
Premier League leaders Chelsea
MATCH ZONE
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