Swansea 4-2

 

 

 

Independent:

 

Chelsea 4 Swansea 2

Diego Costa hat-trick cuts down Swansea

Spanish striker makes it seven goals in four games and Rémy scores his first as Chelsea open up three-point gap over rivals at top of the table

 

Glenn Moore 

Stamford Bridge
 

After Diego Costa's first goal Gary Lineker tweeted that he was 'a beast of a centre-forward'. Indeed he is, but Costa has brain as well as brawn sharing with Lineker the goalscorer's knack of being in the right place at the right time.
 
He was on the spot three times on Saturday, bringing his tally of Premier League goals to seven in his first four matches. With Loic Remy, on debut, adding another, Chelsea overcame an early John Terry own goal to end Swansea's winning run, maintain their own 100 per cent start, and establish a two-point lead at the Premier League summit. They might not be shifted before May.

“In the first half they were fantastic, in the second half we were fantastic,” said Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. “Costa has surprised me. To score seven goals in four games is not normal. He cannot keep that up, but it proves we were right to wait [for Costa] and not buy last summer, or in January. The team was built, and waiting for a striker.”

The quality of this victory was underlined by the form of the opposition. Both teams had started the season with a trio of victories, testament to the benefits of doing transfer business early and so being able to incorporate new players into the team during pre-season. Each were also involved as the deadline approached, but Remy and Federico Fernandez, the respective late purchases, began on the bench.

Post-international break is usually a good time to play teams like Chelsea, who have most of their players involved, but every Premier League team has internationals now and perhaps the most significant change from last weekend, when both teams won by three goals, was by Garry Monk. He rested Wilfried Bony, who had been away in Africa with Ivory Coast, bringing in French international Bafetimbi Gomis for his first start. Gomis led the line well, but would spurn crucial chances. Mourinho made a brace of changes, Andre Schurrle and Oscar replacing Willian and Ramires.

It was the Welsh club which created the early threats and their opening goal was not the shock it must have seemed to those not in the ground. A volley from Wayne Routledge that flew just over showed the danger from the flanks but the warning went unheeded. After Nemanja Matic lost possession Ki Sung-yeung strolled forward before releasing the overlapping Neil Taylor whose low cross was turned into his own net by Terry. The captain was worried by the presence of Gomis but his intervention was needless as Cesar Azpilicueta was in position to clear.

JOhn Terry gave Swansea the lead via an own-goal JOhn Terry gave Swansea the lead via an own-goal  For a while Swansea were rampant and Gomis twice could have doubled the lead. With their fans singing 'we are top of the league' he blazed wide after bursting through then mis-hit a volley having got between Gary Cahill and Terry. When Routledge curled a first-time shot just wide of Thibaut Courtois' goal the home support stirred, urging their team to wake up.

The response was led by Eden Hazard. Jordi Amat and Jonjo Shelvey were booked for fouling him, as Swansea were gradually penned back. Lukasz Fabianski was not however, unduly tested before, amid much wrestling in the box Costa headed in a Cesc Fabregas corner.

Costa celebrates scoring against Swansea Costa celebrates scoring against Swansea  This made him the first player to score in his first four Premier League games since Micky Quinn, for Coventry, in 1992 (and Quinn had previously played in the pre-Premier League top flight). There was more to come, much more, but only after Mourinho made a telling tactical switch at the break. He introduced Ramires for Schurrle and sent Oscar wide in a 4-1-4-1 formation. Fabregas and Ramires pushed up on Shelvey and Ki, Costa pressed, and, suddenly Swansea simply could not get out.

The pressure came in waves and it took just ten minutes for the damn to be pierced. It was a lovely goal, a model of quick thinking and movement. Fabregas played a smart one-two with Hazard then cut the ball back for Costa, who had pulled away, to convert. Up in the posh seats Roman Abramovich had a smile as wide as one of his yachts.

The two sides paid tribute to the late Richard Attenborough before kick-off The two sides paid tribute to the late Richard Attenborough before kick-off  Chelsea were dominant, but ten minutes later came a critical moment. Routledge sped down the left and sent Gomis clear. As Courtois advanced he chipped over the keeper, but wide. Two minutes more and it was game over. Ramires mis-hit fell to Costa, played onside by Taylor, and he tucked in his third.

With Wednesday's Champions League tie with Schalke 04 in mind Mourinho brought his £32m man off, to rapturous cheers, and unveiled Remy. It took the £8m recruit just eight minutes to open his account, sweeping home after being set up by Hazard and Oscar. Shelvey, running between Terry and Azpilicueta and onto Bony's through ball, reduced the arrears but nothing could dent Chelsea's joyous mood. “We could not live with their power. They can be champions,” said Monk. It is an increasingly widespread view.

 

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas (Salah, 81), Matic; Schurrle (Ramires, h/t), Oscar, Hazard; Costa (Remy, 72).

Swansea City (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Rangel, Amat (Fernandez. h/t), Williams, Taylor; Ki Sung-Yeung, Shelvey; Dyer, Sigurdsson, Routledge (Montero, 66); Gomis (Bony, 76).

 

Referee: K Friend

Man of the match: Costa

Match rating: 8

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Observer:

 

Chelsea’s Diego Costa nets hat-trick in comeback win over Swansea City

Chelsea 4 - 2 Swansea

Dominic Fifield at Stamford Bridge

The days of big-money Chelsea strikers arriving cursed appear to be over. Where forwards from Chris Sutton to Fernando Torres via Andriy Shevchenko had once toiled, weighed down by oppressive transfer fees and associated expectations, Diego Costa’s staggering introduction to life in the Premier League is merely maintained. This hat-trick ensured his side’s perfect record was extended at the expense of that of Swansea’s, despite the forward having been hampered by a hamstring strain in the build-up to this game. Already it feels as if his limps, like those of Gordon Greenidge, are far more likely to leave opponents wincing.

This was a devastating display, a demonstration of strength and predatory finishing to confirm this team has upgraded significantly from last term’s inconsistent front-line. There was a powerful header forced through bodies in a packed penalty area, a side-footed finish swept beyond Lukasz Fabianski after a fine rat-a-tat build-up exchange between team-mates, and a smartly accepted third from Ramires’s scuffed shot.

Costa retreated 18 minutes from time having now scored seven times in four league appearances, from 14 shots, for his new club. Torres took 43 games to register that many. The only other player to have scored in his first four games for Chelsea was Jack Meredith back in 1928, and he managed only two more thereafter. Costa’s stay should prove more productive.

Just as encouraging is his almost telepathic relationship with Cesc Fàbregas, who grew into this game once team-mates had flocked to his aid in the middle, with the arrival from Barcelona adding another two assists – he now has six this season – to his own productive start to life in these parts. The way he combined with the excellent Eden Hazard 11 minutes after the interval, waiting for Ashley Williams to commit before pulling back for Costa to finish, was a reminder of true quality.

Roman Abramovich, up in his executive box, spent most of the second half on his feet cooing at his players’ flowing moves. He even had a debut goal from the substitute Loïc Rémy, to celebrate before the end as this occasion, initially so awkward, degenerated into a thrashing.

José Mourinho will have rejoiced in his side’s new-found bite in front of goal, their counterattacks brutally executed at times, though he will have taken as much heart from his players’ ability to recover from a sloppy, becalmed opening. This ended as much a show of character against slick, confident opponents as a demonstration of strength.

Swansea had initially outnumbered their hosts in midfield, from where Ki Sung-yueng dictated much of the first half, and had deservedly led through a John Terry own goal converted from Neil Taylor’s skimmed centre. Garry Monk described his team’s play in that period as “some of the best we’ve ever played against this quality of team”. That was no exaggeration, so assured was their approach and incisive their forays forward.

Bafétimbi Gomis and Wayne Routledge might have doubled their lead, the winger curling agonisingly wide with Thibaut Courtois beaten. But having been spared further damage, the hosts eventually adapted, recovered and were rewarded. The trio of forwards stationed behind Costa tracked back to stifle Ki’s distribution at source and the aggressive running of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jonjo Shelvey was smothered.

Fàbregas, initially out-muscled and overpowered, duly imposed his own qualities on the contest. It was his corner Costa converted beyond Fabianski, Jordi Amat having been preoccupied attempting to unnerve Branislav Ivanovic in the six-yard box.

That equaliser was timely, coming just before the interval, with Ramires’s introduction for the ineffective André Schürrle ensuring the hosts ripped the momentum back for good. They pressed with renewed vigour and Costa’s plunder took over, the hosts’ strength holding sway. The forward’s finishing was assured, Rémy’s immediate impact having replaced the scorer of the hat-trick adding to the locals’ sense of glee. Didier Drogba, nursing an ankle injury, was not missed.

“We made changes and were too strong for them in the end,” said Mourinho. “We changed everything at half-time and, with the intensity we showed in that second half, they could not compete. We could give to the stadium what the crowd were waiting for: a win secured in a beautiful way.”

Shelvey still exploited some defensive vulnerability late on to claw back a consolation – Swansea did not deserve to feel scorched – but Chelsea, just as they had at Everton in their previous fixture, are confident they can out-gun all-comers. “You saw the power and quality Chelsea have in that second half,” Monk said. “I think they’ll be champions.”

Manchester City, five points adrift of the early leaders, will test that theory at the Etihad on 21 September though, for now, Costa and Co are irrepressible.

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Telegraph:

 

Chelsea 4 Swansea City 2:

Diego Costa scores hat-trick as Jose Mourinho's men increase lead at the top

By  Jonathan Liew

Diego Costa collects goals like trainspotters collect footplates. He amasses goals with the diligence and vigour of a man who intends to take them home and eat them afterwards. Whatever he has to do to get one – run the channels for 89 minutes, sneakily nudge someone in the ribs, sprint 30 yards to press an opposition defender – he will do it. This is the relentless hunger for which Chelsea paid £32 million, a fee that Costa is already repaying at a throttling rate.

Here, he scored three – taking him to seven for the season. Chelsea scored four, but for large parts of this game, they were pretty much scoring whenever they wanted. After this win over a competent but outmatched Swansea City side, they lead the table with four wins out of four. It is a record that has deservedly installed them as bookmakers’ favourites for the title, their 15 goals inspiring fear and awe in equal measure.

But wait a moment. Hindsight can be a funny thing, and the motif of blue shirts stampeding towards the Swansea goal during the second half may obscure the memory of those same blue shirts bumbling haplessly through the first. Make no mistake, this was no routine victory for Chelsea.

“The second half was fantastic for us,” Jose Mouinho said with trademark concision. “The first half was fantastic for them.”

Chelsea’s utter ineptitude during those opening exchanges was down to three factors. First, Swansea’s strategy: patient but never predictable. Second, Chelsea’s inability to prevent crosses, especially when Swansea’s full-backs Neil Taylor and Angel Rangel created overlaps. Third, the failure of Chelsea’s midfield to assert the slightest modicum of control. They were barely adequate here, although Cesc Fabregas managed to paper over an average defensive display with two assists.

Swansea could have scored several in that opening half-hour. In the end, they were forced to make do with one: Oscar failed to follow Ki Sung-Yeung’s incisive run through the centre, Ki slipped the ball to Neil Taylor, and his early cross was turned in by John Terry.

Swansea were rampant. Wayne Routledge curled just wide from 18 yards. Bafetimbi Gomis should have done better with Taylor’s cross. Around half an hour in, Chelsea began to move through the gears, possibly spurred into action by the prospect of facing an irate Mourinho in the dressing room at half-time, fingering his leather riding whip.

What followed was a slow turning of the screw. Eventually all those blocked shots and last-ditch clearances and free-kicks around the edge of the area had to lead somewhere, but it was Swansea’s misfortune to concede right on 45 minutes. Fabregas swung in the corner; Branislav Ivanovic chose that exact moment to give Jordi Amat a big hug. Suitably preoccupied, Amat was powerless to stop Costa from stealing in behind him and heading in from six yards.

It was just a taste of things to come. You could almost hear Swansea creaking in the second half, almost see smoke pouring from exhausts. Eventually Eden Hazard played a beautiful pass into the path of Fabregas – eyes one way, ball completely another. Fabregas pulled it back for Costa eight yards out.

After that it was open season, at both ends. Jonjo Shelvey, a pure adrenalin player, let fly from 30 yards, and only just missed. With 25 minutes left, Wayne Routledge put Gomis through on goal. But the Frenchman’s dainty chip was more Lee Westwood than Lee Trevino, the ball leaking badly wide.

That was Swansea’s last chance to make a game of it. Seconds later, substitute Ramires badly fluffed his shot from 18 yards, but the ball ran perfectly for Costa, who had the simplest of finishes from close range. It looked fortuitous, but it was testament to Costa’s incredible thirst for goal: after all, what striker anticipates a miscued shot?

Loic Remy came on for his debut and made it 4-1, converting Oscar’s square ball with a fine first-time finish. But there was still time for a Swansea flourish. Wilfried Bony’s through ball caught Cesar Azpilicueta napping, and Shelvey capitalised with a confident low finish.

“It’s two leagues within a league,” Swansea manager Garry Monk said afterwards. “The top five or six teams can go and spend as much as they want on players. We can’t do that. I can promise you we won’t be disheartened.”

Mourinho, meanwhile, was in his element. There was a minor scuffle in the closing minutes as he treated us to his now-classic holding-the-ball-behind-his-back act as Swansea tried to effect a quick throw. Perhaps he was simply trying to amuse himself. He is a man who thrives on antagonism, so it was strangely fitting that he should try to create some of his own: a man desperately short of enemies, for a team desperately short of challengers.

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Times:

Chelsea 4 Swansea City 2: Costa is unstoppable

David Walsh 

WHEN winter comes and evenings shorten, mothers in certain parts of London will use him to get their children in before dark. “Come in, Diego Costa is about.” No child would risk it. So far eight Premier League centre-backs and four goalkeepers have been traumatised, and this is only September.

Costa scored three goals in this game, the first a good header in a crowded goalmouth when his team were 1-0 down. Valuable. His two second-half goals were clinical finishes, made to seem like tap-ins, but they, too, told us about him. Like a shark to blood, he scents opportunity and moves into position. Then before you can scream for help the ball is in the back of the net.

This being the modern age, we genuflect before the one who scores. With seven goals in four Premier League games, for Costa we’re on both knees. At this rate he will have 66 league goals by the end of the campaign.

Jose Mourinho sat amongst us after the game, foresaw the questions and pointed out the difference between his and our perspective. “Between you and me,” he said, “there is a contradiction. You want players and names, I want team and collective. You speak of Diego, Hazard and Fabregas, I want to speak about Chelsea and players you didn’t see, a player who was fantastic, Ramires.”

Pressed on Costa’s performance, he humoured us. “Seven goals in four matches, maybe it’s too much. We cannot expect that after eight matches he has 14 goals. That is to ask too much.” 

Chelsea needed Costa’s goalscoring here because they started tentatively and were outplayed, almost embarrassed by Swansea through the first 20 minutes. It wasn’t just that the visitors were then the better side, they played the most wondrous football. Jonjo Shelvey and Ki Sung-Yueng controlled midfield, Gylfi Sigurdsson used his free role to create danger and the wide men, Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge, were both quick and inventive.

So when the Swansea goal came, there was no surprise. We were in the 11th minute, Nemanja Matic had his pocket picked as he took the ball out of defence, Ki played it wide to the overlapping Neil Taylor and his low cross between the goalkeeper and defenders panicked John Terry into an own goal.

It was the 10 minutes after the goal that was startling. Swansea tightened their grip on the game. Bafetimbi Gomis got on the end of Taylor’s deep cross but couldn’t hit the dream volley that it invited. There were other chances, Routledge curled a beautiful shot just wide and all the while Swansea’s manager Garry Monk stood serenely on the touchline, as if he’d expected his team to control things.

But midway through the first half, the music began to die. Swansea lost a little energy and Chelsea started to get closer. Once that happens, Chelsea can be like a wave rolling over you. They are relentless and suddenly Swansea were retreating into their shell, as if uneasy at the centre of the ring, trading blows with a heavyweight.

You understood then that Swansea had their frailties. Sigurdsson lost his way, Shelvey and Ki lost their swagger and when Jordi Amat kicked Eden Hazard on the edge of the box, it was clear that Chelsea would have their chances. And then there was Costa, waiting to play his part.

The first goal, from a Cesc Fabregas corner, was probably the best because it was right on half-time and came when the home side desperately needed a lift. There were bodies everywhere , but Costa had eyes only for the ball and he drilled his header into the back of the net.

Chelsea were much better in the second half. Mourinho politely refused to say what tactical changes he made but taking off Andre Schurrle and bringing on Ramires played an important part. Somehow, after listening to their manager, Chelsea became much more effective at closing down the opposition.

In smothering Swansea, they liberated themselves. The goal that gave Chelsea the lead was all about a neat one-two between Fabregas and Hazard. While they were working their magic, Costa was strolling back from an offside position as if he knew what was going to happen. Getting onside at the last second, he swept a Fabregas cut-back into the roof of the net.

By now Swansea were being dominated but, even then, they were dangerous. Routledge made a fine run down the left, played Gomis through and the centre-forward might easily have scored. Instead, he lifted the ball over Thibaut Courtois, but wide of the far post.

Then, 22 minutes from time, Costa got his third — a strange goal but one that showed he possesses razor-sharp reactions. Ramires had the ball inside the penalty area, played it between the central defenders and before anyone even saw the reason for the pass, Costa had it in the net.

He had played for Spain in midweek, tweaked his hamstring and needed to prove his fitness before the match. After his third goal, Mourinho replaced him with Loic Remy who put the game beyond Swansea with a fine strike from Oscar’s pass.

Swansea kept going and Wilfried Bony did well to play Shelvey through late in the game. He finished easily. It might seem churlish tocriticise Chelsea’s performance but they were opened up with remarkable ease for that goal, as they had been at Goodison Park two weeks ago.

They have conceded five in their last two games, not a statistic that Mourinho will ignore. But for the moment let us revel in the panache and leave the last word to the manager. “We were too strong for them and we could give to the stadium what the stadium is waiting for, which is the win but, if possible, a win in a beautiful way.”

Mourinho’s teams haven’t always been described as beautiful but there was some majesty and class in this performance. And Costa is to the Premier League what Clint Eastwood was to those old spaghetti westerns. He doesn’t say much, he just looks means and does a lot of damage. 

Chelsea: Courtois 6, Ivanovic 6, Cahill 5, Terry 5, Azpilicueta 7, Fabregas 7 (Salah 82min), Matic 6, Schurrle 3 (Ramires 45min 7), Oscar 5, Hazard 8, Costa 9 (Remy 72min)

 

Swansea: Fabianski 6, Rangel 5, Amat 5 (Fernandez h-t 6), Williams 6. Taylor 7, Shelvey 6, Ki 6, Dyer, Sigurdsson, Routledge 7 (Montero 66min), Gomis 6 (Bony 76min)

 

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Mail:

 

Chelsea 4-2 Swansea:

Diego Costa bags hat-trick and Loic Remy nets debut goal after John Terry scores early own goal

By Sami Mokbel

If Diego Costa had cost £100million he would 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 £32m with a hat-trick against Swansea, the only other club with a 100 per cent record going into this clash, as Chelsea stayed top of the Premier League.

No wonder Roman Abramovich was on his feet beaming like a child on Christmas morning by the time Costa had completed his treble. Chelsea have searched for two years to find Didier Drogba’s replacement. Needless to say they have found it.

‘If the team plays well, he has to score goals,’ said Jose Mourinho. ‘Seven in four is maybe too much. It is something that is not normal. We cannot expect that after eight matches he will have 14 goals.

‘Everyone knows now why Chelsea did well to wait for him rather than buying one in the midwinter last season, just to buy a striker.

‘Didier had a fantastic career at Chelsea. Diego has shown he can have that same profile of career, but we don’t need to compare careers.’ All this after a week of recuperation at Chelsea’s Cobham HQ following a hamstring strain sustained on international duty.

However, the ease of Saturday's win was certainly not reflected in their start, as Garry Monk’s side stormed into an 11th-minute lead. It was slick too. Left-back Neil Taylor latched on to Ki Sung-Yeung’s defence splitting pass before rolling in a 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 Thibaut Courtois into his own net.

The travelling support were in a frenzy. Their manager, however, was motionless on the touchline. He must have been bubbling over inside though, as his side’s excellent start to the season showed no sign of letting up. Bafetimbi Gomis and Wayne Routledge both went close to increasing Swansea’s lead as Chelsea struggled during the opening exchanges.

Dyer, in front of England manager Roy Hodgson who was watching in the stands, and Gomis in particular were causing Chelsea problems.

If Swansea had gone 3-0 ahead, Mourinho could have had little complaint.

Diego Costa, who had to undergo a late fitness test, managed to shake off a slight knock to start against Swansea City

The visitors were bright, inventive and dangerous. Chelsea on the other hand were lethargic, sloppy and inefficient.

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 a cross from Branislav Ivanovic.

The Brazil international then saw his low effort from the edge of the penalty area saved by Lukasz Fabianski, before Hazard fired a cross-come-shot wide after an excellent pass by Fabregas. Chelsea were not 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 was not a surprise either.

It was, of course, Costa with the simplest of headers from Fabregas’s corner after some slack Swansea marking, as the Spaniard became the first Chelsea player to score in his first four games for the club since John Meredith 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 did not have to wait much longer — just three more minutes in fact — finishing off an attractive move to score his sixth of the season, one more Premier League goal than Fernando Torres scored in the whole of the last campaign.

Fabregas and Hazard cut Swansea’s left-hand side to shreds with some intricate passing, leaving Costa to fire the Spaniard’s cut-back past Fabianski to put Chelsea ahead.

Their abject start was a distant memory now; Chelsea were vibrant and threatening, looking every inch title contenders.

And Costa sealed all three points for Mourinho’s men with another simple finish, tapping past Fabianski after Ramires’ mishit shot from the edge of the area.

The striker was given a huge ovation, perhaps the biggest round of applause coming from owner Abramovich, as he was replaced by debutant Loic Remy with 20 minutes remaining.

And it took the France international just 10 minutes to open his account following his move from QPR, firing an unstoppable right-foot drive past Fabianski after Oscar’s pass.

Jonjo Shelvey scored a consolation for Swansea four minutes from time. ‘Maybe we should have added one or two after going ahead but second half you saw the power and quality Chelsea have. We couldn’t quite contain them,’ said Monk.

‘We were committed, had a good attitude and tried to play well but I think they’ll be champions.’

It is hard to argue with the Swansea manager on this evidence.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois 7; Ivanovic 6.5, Cahill 6, Terry 5.5, Azpilicueta 6.5; Matic 6.5, Fabregas 8 (Salah 82 - 6); Schurrle 6 (Ramires 46 - 7), Oscar 7, Hazard 7.5; Diego Costa 9.5 (Remy 72 - 7)

Subs not used: Cech, Filipe Luis, Zouma, Salah, Willian

 

Swansea (4-2-3-1): Fabianski 6; Rangel 6.5, Amat 6 (Fernandez 46 - 5), Williams 5.5, Taylor 6.5; Ki 7.5, Shelvey 6; Sigurdsson 6.5, Dyer 6, Routledge 6.5 (Montero 66 - 6); Gomis 7 (Bony 76 - 6)

Subs: Tremmel, Tiendalli, Carroll, Emnes

Referee: Kevin Friend 6

 

COSTA THE RECORD BREAKER

 

Diego Costa has now scored more Premier League goals (7) this season than Fernando Torres (5) managed throughout the entire 2013/14 season.
It actually took Torres 43 games to score as many goals for Chelsea as Costa has scored since joining the Blues.
Costa is one of five players to need fewer than five matches to score five or more goals after making his Premier League debut for that side: Pavel Pogrebnyak, Micky Quinn, Sergio Aguero, Jurgen Klinsmann are the others.
Costa is only the second player in the history of the Premier League to score in each of his first four games - Micky Quinn is the other.

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Mirror:

 

Chelsea 4-2 Swansea: Diego Costa bags hat-trick as Blues fight from behind
 
By Steve Stammers
 
Diego Costa helped himself to a first Premier League hat-trick and Loic Remy struck a debut goal as Mourinho's men made it four wins from four

With style, panache and a striker proving to be the most lethal in the country, Chelsea are emerging as the great entertainers of the Premier League – and potential champions.

The demolition of Swansea brought their 10th goal in the last two matches – and it included a hat-trick from Diego Costa, who brought his personal total to seven strikes in four matches.

If there is such a thing as a £32million bargain, then it is the Brazilian-born Spain international.

He carries the look and build of an individual who should be given a wide berth in a dark alley.

In fact, he has a subtle touch to go with his natural strength – and those qualities are allied to an eye for goal.

But, although the record books will suggest he is the man who ended ­Swansea’s flirtation with the top of the table, the destroyer-in-chief was Eden Hazard.

In the first 30 minutes that were dominated by Swansea, Hazard was the man to pose problems for the Welsh outfit.

“Any problems we gave them, Hazard caused them,” admitted Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. He added: “The first half was fantastic for them, the second half was fantastic for us.”

Swansea were, indeed, on top, mainly through the midfield tandem of Ki Sung-Yeung and Jonjo Shelvey.

And, despite the ­unfortunate circumstances of the opening goal in the 11th minute, Swansea deserved to be ahead.

Ki was the architect with a through-ball to Neil Taylor whose cross into the six yard box was a nightmare for any defender. John Terry could do nothing as the ball hit him and went into the net.

Had Bafetimbi Gomis shown more composure, it could have been a two-goal lead, but he volleyed Taylor’s cross high and wide, seven minutes later.

Chelsea made the most of the reprieve. Three minutes from half-time, Hazard made his first material contribution. His mazy run earned a corner, Cesc Fabregas crossed the ball into the area and Costa headed the equaliser.

Mourinho did not wait on the ­touchline for the half-time whistle. He was already in the dressing room – and preparing to send Ramires into the fray.

The tactic worked a treat. “He was magnificent,” said Mourinho, after he watched the Brazilian play a huge role in re-asserting Chelsea’s dominance.

After 56 minutes, Chelsea were ahead after Fabregas and Hazard produced a superb one-two and Costa was on hand to score the second.

And, just after the hour, the match was beyond ­Swansea’s reach. Hazard found Ramires and there was Costa to finish his treble.

“You cannot expect him to keep up this cycle of goals,” said Mourinho.

“Maybe in the next four games he will score only two. But he has had a great start and maybe he could have the same career here as Didier Drogba. Maybe.”

The fourth came from Loic Remy on his debut in front of the fans massed in the Matthew Harding Stand.

“Good that he scored in his first game and good that he scored in that goal where all the fans are Chelsea fans,” said Mourinho.

Shelvey broke clear four minutes from time to score Swansea’s second.

But boss Garry Monk conceded: “In my opinion, they will be champions.”

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Express:

Chelsea 4 - Swansea 2: Costa's hat-trick crushes soaring Swans

 

A SHAKE of the hand with the manager, a thumbs up to the crowd, a big smile to light up Stamford Bridge and then Diego Costa disappeared down the tunnel as the hurly-burly of the match continued behind him.

 

By: Jim Holden

 

His job was done.

He’d scored a hat-trick and clinched another rousing victory for Chelsea long before the final whistle of an entertaining match in which Swansea gave the home team an early scare and were then blown away by Costa’s goals and the superior skill and power of Jose Mourinho’s team.

Four games, four wins, 15 goals and 40,000 supporters already believing this will be a year to remember.

The catalyst is Costa. He has scored in all of his opening four Premier League games, seven in total, to put Chelsea clear at the top of the table and with the only 100 per cent record in the division.

Is there a cloud on the horizon, though? Reports suggest Costa is managing a hamstring injury and, as soon as the hat-trick was complete yesterday, he signalled to the bench that he wanted to come off.

Mourinho acted instantly. He knows how precious Costa already is, saying: “Yes, I’m surprised by seven goals in four games because that isn’t normal.

“People shouldn’t expect him to keep up that rate but what he’s done shows that Chelsea did the right thing in waiting for him this summer, and not just buy any striker.

“The second half was fantastic for us and we could give the stadium what it wants – to win matches in a beautiful way.”

They certainly did. What cannot be doubted is the enjoyment Chelsea have in their play right now.

The jinking skills of Eden Hazard are a constant delight and the magical passing of Cesc Fabregas is easy on the eye.

Yet, for the first 20 minutes, Swansea controlled this match with some composed passing and fluid movements.

They took the lead when John Terry scooped the ball into his own goal trying to clear a cross from raiding full-back Neil Taylor.

The visitors spurned other chances and it made you realise why manager Garry Monk was named the other day as one of the young wizards of European football according to Italy’s respected Gazzetta dello Sport.

It couldn’t last.

The old chief wizard, Mourinho, solved the problems Swansea were posing by demanding his team press the ball as hard as possible and the game was transformed.

Costa scored the equaliser just before half-time, heading home from a corner with a typical show of bullish strength.

His second came on 56 minutes, a superbly crafted goal with slick passing instigated by Fabregas and finished with a cool left-foot shot.

The hat-trick was completed with another clever finish, anticipating a miss-hit shot by Ramires to tap home.

Costa is a natural goal-scorer. They are gold dust. Bafetimbi Gomis had a superb game holding up the ball for Swansea but when his chances came he fluffed them.

At 2-1 Gomis was sent running clear at Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois but a poor chip was hashed well wide of goal.

In contrast, Chelsea’s new striker, Loic Remy, scored their fourth goal of the game on his debut with an unerring low shot after a scintillating run by Hazard into the box.

Jonjo Shelvey struck a late consolation for Swansea but manager Monk admitted they were well beaten, saying: “We couldn’t cope with the power of Chelsea in the second half.

“It’s not just Costa, they have world-class players everywhere and I think they will be champions this season.”

CHELSEA: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas (Salah 82); Schurrle (Ramires 46), Oscar, Hazard; Costa (Remy 72)

 

SWANSEA: Fabianski; Rangel, Williams, Amat (Fernandez 46), Taylor; Dyer, Shelvey, Sigurdsson, Ki, Routledge (Montero 66); Gomis (Bony 76)

 

MAN OF THE MATCH: Diego Costa –superb hat-trick of close-range goals along with show of strength leading line.

 

Ref: K Friend

Att: 41,400

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Star:

Chelsea 4 - Swansea 2: Diego Costa grabs a hat-trick as Chelsea go top of Premier League

JOSE MOURINHO last night hailed goal-machine Diego Costa after his hat-trick stunned Swansea to put Chelsea two points clear at the top.


By Tony Stenson

Mourinho said: “It does not surprise me he scores – but it does surprise me he has scored seven goals in four matches."

Hat-trick hero Diego Costa yesterday led Chelsea's Great Escape.

He took the role of Steve McQueen and showed why he is fast becoming Chelsea's Hollywood style A-List star.

And for good measure Loic Remy came off the bench to score on his debut as Chelsea ran riot after a slow start.

No wonder owner Roman Ambramovich danced and clapped through-out like a little kid. He knew his money had been well spent.

Chelsea remain top of the table and showed they will be a hard act to beat.

Costa ensured they remained leaders with a stunning hat trick, scoring his seventh goal in his first four matches to beat take the previous club record set by Jack Meredith in 1928.

He wiped out Swansea's lead, added two more, and inspired a fight back that didn't seem possible during the first 20 minutes when Swansea looked unbeatable.

It wasn't until Cesc Fabregas got his act together and demanded others to come to the plate did Chelsea look Premier League leaders.

Then it was turkey shoot time with Costa seemingly involved in every attack.

He has already become a Chelsea super hero in the same mould as Dider Drogba.

He looks like a bloke you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley and Swansea's defenders were always wary of his power and swarthy looks.

Fittingly, his goals came on a day when Chelsea paid homage to their former director, vice president, life long fan and great actor Lord Attenborough, whose welter of films included the classic The Great Escape.

He often invited the likes of McQueen, Clint Eastwood, Charlton Heston and Racquel Welch to Stamford Bridge.

Now Chelsea have Diego the demon.

Chelsea needed to come a goal down to continue their unbeaten run and end Swansea's shock assault on the season.

Swansea started as if their stunning start to the season hasn't been a fluke.

They had Chelsea's high-price players often on the back foot.

It needed Costa to provide the platform for a comeback.

Chelsea manager Mourinho warned in his programme notes they would need to be at their best to beat Swansea. For long periods they weren't.

If French international Bafetimbi Gomis had been more accurate with his shooting Swansea could have easily increased their lead.

Wayne Routledge was also a burr, causing constant worry down Chelsea's right flank and attempting efforts whenever given the chance - and there were many.

Chelsea just couldn't get their act together.

Swansea squeezed the life out of the likes of Oscar, Fabregas and Eden Hazard, closing ranks, huddling back and giving a lesson on how to play against the big guys.

They were a swarm of bees, homing in, fighting for each other. No team mate was left isolated, defence was packed, attacks swiftly backed-up.

They refused to buckle when Chelsea finally got their act together and drove hard through their middle of their defence.

Swansea almost took the lead in the 2nd minute when Dyer crossed, John Terry only flicked away and Routledge smacked over from 16 yards.

Swansea, however, took the lead in the 12th minute when Ki Sung-Yung burst through Chelsea's midfield and defence, slipped the ball to over-lapping Neil Taylor and his cross was turned in by Chelsea skipper John Terry.

Chelsea's reply came mainly from Oscar, but the a close range header went over, or Lukasz Fabianski comfortably dealt with his shooting.

It needed Fabregas to grab the game by the throat, dartining, inventive he hauled Chelsea off the ropes.

Chelsea finally equalised in the 44th minute when Fabegras swung over a corner and the swarthy, bull-shaped Costa headed home.

He turned provider again in the 56th minute when after a blur of swift passing he supplied the final ball for Costa to sweep home.

Swansea were not finished. The lively Gomis then just flicked wide in the 65th minute - much to the relief of Mourinho standing on the touchline.

Then that man Costa got into the act again, sweeping home a Ramires pass in the 68th minute before being cheered off the pitched and replaced Remy.

Jonjo Shelvey scored Swansea's second in the 86th minute but any fight back came too late.

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