10-Man Chelsea FC Draw 2-2 With Swansea City
Chelsea FC opened their Barclays Premier League campaign against Swansea City this afternoon, trying to get back on the winning side after losing the FA Community Shield to London rivals Arsenal. The reigning league champions fielded a familiar starting XI, with Diego Costa making his return as the lone forward in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
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The visitors attempted to start fast, by not letting Chelsea sleepwalk through the opening stages. They pressed high, and forced the Chelsea midfield and defense into some tight situations.
After a relatively calm first 10 minutes, business started to pick up for both sides. First, Bafetimbi Gomis got in behind the Chelsea defense, but scuffed his shot, and left behind a golden opportunity.
The Swans continued their surge, this time with Ki Sung-Yueng firing a shot that forced a save from Thibaut Courtois.
Just when it looked like Swansea were the most likely to score, the hosts launched a quick counter which saw Diego Costa break free into the penalty area. The striker was taken down inside the box, but penalty protests were quickly waved off by referee Michael Oliver.
The Blues would take the lead in the 23rd minute, through an Oscar free kick. The young Brazilian might have something to prove following a below standard campaign last time out, and criticism from some analysts prior to the season. He took a step towards answering those critics with a direct free kick goal that beat Lukasz Fabianski at his far post.
It wouldn’t take long for a response, as new signing Andre Ayew pulled one back for the Welsh side. Gomis had the initial opportunity, but his header was spectacularly saved by Courtois. With the ball at the mouth of goal, Ayew lashed twice, with his second attempt finding the back of the net.
Chelsea would take the lead back after a fluke goal from Willian. The winger tried to ping a cross into the box, but the ball was deflected by Federico Fernandez. With Fabianski caught off guard, the ball looped into the far corner, giving Chelsea the lead again after all of 92 seconds had elapsed.
Swansea would begin the second half more brightly, and Gomis once again wasted a chance by not getting a clean shot off from inside the box. The Swans continued to attack with a few more Jonjo Shelvey corners, but couldn’t make anything of them.
The game would be turned on its head just minutes into the second period, when Courtois was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring chance. The goalkeeper unnecessarily stuck his leg out, and seemed to trip Gomis on his path to goal. Chelsea would feel the effects of the “double whammy”: getting a player sent off and conceding a penalty.
Asmir Begovic’s first action as a Chelsea player would come against a penalty shot, one which Gomis converted to level the score at two apiece. Being a man down, Chelsea would play the remainder of the game in a very cautious manner.
Moments after going a man up, Swansea looked to take full advantage. Jefferson Montero continued his good display with a shot that nearly snuck past Begovic’s near post.
Swansea thought they had taken the lead in the 68th minute, when Gomis calmly finished his chance, but the goal was disallowed after the linesman caught him in an offside position.
Even though Chelsea found themselves a man down, there was still opportunities going forward. Willian and Branislav Ivanovic, in particular, found joy coming down the right side.
After both sides traded warning shots, the game would finish 2-2. While frustrating for Chelsea fans, the game was at least entertaining. The Blues will be disappointed with the draw, but will be thankful for not giving up the winning goal after having played the majority of the second half with ten men.
MOTM: Bafetimbi Gomis – Gomis made his mark on this game, getting a handful of chances, and converting the tying penalty.
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