Match Summary
Chelsea made light work of a poor start to cruise to victory in the end against Swansea City.
The Welsh side had been flying high in second-place in the table and the brimming confidence was on show, with the Swans taking the lead thanks to a John Terry own goal.
Assured passing and a dominant approach by the visitors made it look like Chelsea would have to work hard for the victory, but the immense quality of Diego Costa, and a début goal for Remy, secured all three points in emphatic style.
The Blues managed to restore parity at the perfect time. Diego Costa nodded home just before the whistle was to blow for the end of the first-half, and Chelsea went up a notch in the second.
There was simply no stopping Chelsea’s new talisman, who exchanged neatly with Fabregas to put Chelsea in the lead 11 minutes into the restart.
His hat-trick was rounded up just 11 minutes after that, reacting quickest to Ramires’ slow shot on target and pinching the ball before Fabianski.
Swansea’s misery was compounded when Oscar laid the ball on a plate to new-boy Loic Remy, who tucked home Chelsea’s fourth.
There was time for a Shelvey consolation to at least give the Swansea fans returning home pride that they managed to score two against a table-topping side, but Chelsea’s 10 goals in the last two games should strike fear into any future opponent.
Man of the Match
DIEGO COSTA: Costa has started life in England brilliantly. He was awarded August Player of the Month for his four goals last month, and has started September by nearly doubling his tally already. A hat-trick was something never managed by Torres, and the three today were hardly stunning, but the mark of a good striker is being in the right place at the right time, and Costa is your ideal poacher. 9/10
Manager Reaction
Mourinho was delighted with the turn-around from a sluggish start: “The second half was fantastic for us, the first half was fantastic for them. We deserved to win as we were much, much better in the second-half. Seven goals in four matches from Diego Costa has surprised me because it’s not normal.”
Garry Monk was disappointed his side could not hold on: “It was a very good first half hour. Some of the football was the best we’ve played this season. I think it just showed the world-class quality they have and in the second-half it took its toll a bit. Their power and strength was too much.”