Independent:
Gylfi Sigurdsson strikes as Blues lose first League game under Guus Hiddink
Swansea City 1 Chelsea 0
Rob Stewart Liberty Stadium 12 hours ago0 comments
Guus Hiddink, the Chelsea interim manager, warned his “sloppy” players to raise their game after the club’s 15-match unbeaten Premier League run was brought to an unceremonious halt by Swansea City.
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s first-half goal condemned Chelsea to the first league defeat since Hiddink succeeded Jose Mourinho last December.
It ensured a disappointing end to a week that began with confirmation that Italy manager Antonio Conte would take over the reins at Stamford Bridge this summer.
“I don’t think the Conte appointment affected the players because what we did in the second half was good so I don’t think they had it in mind to look to next season,” Hiddink said.
“But it is not just about a new manager, you have to show at a club like this what you are capable of. The players have to be internally motivated, that is a key condition to being at a club like Chelsea.”
Sigurdsson put Swansea on course for their first ever Premier League win over Chelsea when he volleyed past Asmir Begovic from 15 yards in the 25th minute.
The Iceland international struck after Jefferson Montero had bamboozled the Chelsea defence and took maximum advantage of a weak-headed clearance by centre-back Matt Miazga, who was unable to fill the void left by injured duo Gary Cahill and John Terry.
Montero should have doubled the lead late on while Alexandre Pato missed two sitters on his first start for Chelsea.
We expected a tough game, they needed three points and we were safe. We had a soft target we had achieved, so we expected a lot of opposition,” Hiddink added.
“We created some chances in the first 20 minutes but we were sloppy. We thought it would come, but if you do not take those chances you get into trouble and we got into trouble going 1-0 down.”
Hiddink defended the decision to drop Thibaut Courtois in favour of Begovic.
“Begovic is a good keeper and he has proven that,” Hiddink said. “He has done his job as a professional very well. He is 100 per cent committed in every training session and that is why I rewarded him with the chance to play.”
Francesco Guidolin, the Swansea manager, effectively conceded that the club’s Premier League status had been safeguarded by the win.
“I think we are safe now,” he said. “We know it is not completely done but now I think we can see a way forward and are not looking behind. It is an important moment for the club.
“That was the best performance since I took over and so this is a proud day for me and for the players. We need to finish the season well.”
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Observer:
Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson sees off Chelsea to ease relegation worries
Swansea 1 - 0 Chelsea
Press Association
Guus Hiddink said the first league defeat of his second spell as Chelsea manager was not down to the announcement that Antonio Conte will be in charge at Stamford Bridge next season.
Hiddink had not lost any of his 14 Premier League games since succeeding José Mourinho in December, but his side came unstuck here as Gylfi Sigurdsson’s 25th-minute volley took Swansea City City to 40 points, the usual mark for safety.
Chelsea announced this week that Conte will be taking over after leading Italy at Euro 2016 in France, but Hiddink said: “What we did in the second half was good. I don’t think they had it in mind to look to next season.”
Chelsea won 5-0 at Swansea last season on their way to the title, but there were only three survivors from the side that produced one of the real high points of Mourinho’s second spell in charge. Hiddink was without several first-team players because of injury or suspension, among them John Terry, Gary Cahill, Nemanja Matic, Willian and Diego Costa, but he sprang a surprise by preferring Asmir Begovic to Thibaut Courtois in goal.
“He [Begovic] has done his job as a professional very well,” Hiddink said. He is 100% committed in every training session and that is why I rewarded him with the chance to play.
“We created some chances in the first 20 minutes but we were sloppy in taking those options. The second half we were on the front foot but did not create many chances and it is a disappointing defeat.”
The Chelsea defence was an accident waiting to happen with Jefferson Montero tormenting them in the same fashion as he had on the opening day of the season in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Begovic had to cling on to Montero’s deflected effort at the foot of a post before Matt Miazga carelessly conceded possession in the corner. Montero found Sigurdsson who forced a save from Begovic, but the defence was not to survive after Àngel Rangel failed to find the target from a promising position.
Miazga was at fault again as his poor header from Montero fell perfectly to Sigurdsson, who rifled home his ninth goal in 14 games to reward Swansea’s superiority.
This was Swansea’s third win in four games and their head coach, Francesco Guidolin, said: “I think we are safe now. We know it is not completely done, but now we can see a way forward and are not looking behind. It is an important moment for the club. This is a proud day for me and for the players. We need to finish the season well.”
Guidolin took charge in January and he has won six of his 12 matches to stave off the threat of relegation. “That was the best performance since I took over,” he said. “The first half we were very good. I knew we could play this way, but as a new manager I had to get to know my players and today I saw my team play as I want – with intensity, quality and aggression.
“We miss only one thing. We deserved to win by more and we should have scored a couple more in the first half.”
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Telegraph:
Swansea City 1 Chelsea 0: Welsh side on the verge of American takeover
Graham Clutton, at the liberty stadium
Swansea City are on the verge of being taken over by American investors. The club have confirmed that it is working to finalise the introduction of a new majority shareholder.
In a statement, it was confirmed that board members have discussed an agreement which would see Steve Kaplan, Jason Levien and their investment group acquiring a controlling interest in the club. Levien is currently managing general owner at Major League Soccer outfit DC United and Kaplan is a shareholder in NBA franchise Memphis Grizzlies. Chairman Huw Jenkins and vice chairman Leigh Dineen would remain in their management leadership roles at the club.
“Talks will continue with the aim of an agreement to be ratified by the end of the season,” Jenkins said. “We believe we have a proposal which will help Swansea City progress both on and off the field.”
On the field Gylfi Sigurdsson brought Chelsea’s four-month unbeaten run in the Premier League to an end and took Swansea City a significant step closer to safety. The Icelandic international struck in the 25th minute to earn Francesco Guidolin’s side a victory that takes them 13 points clear of Sunderland, who currently occupy the final spot in the bottom three.
For Chelsea, who were toothless for much of the game, it was another disappointment in a season that nobody could have predicted. Still, for the visiting fans, who made themselves heard at the Liberty Stadium, the impending arrival of new head coach Antonio Conte, does, at least, provide some salvation.
Manager Guus Hiddink is far from downbeat with the state of play at Stamford Bridge but did chastise his players for their first-half performance. “In the first 20 minutes we created some half chance. However, if you don’t take those opportunities you know you could be in trouble later on. Then we gave away a sloppy goal,” he said.
“I thought in the second half we played mostly in their half but we didn’t really create too many chances.
“I don’t think the managerial announcement took away from the focus of the game. I think we showed that in the second half.
“I really don’t think they had that on their mind.”
In contrast, Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin was overjoyed with his side’s most complete performance since he took over.
“I am very happy with the performance and I think we are safe now,” he said. “I think now, we can look forward rather than over our shoulders.
“However, it’s important to finish the season well.”
Swansea might not be mathematically safe, but after a mid season wobble, they look like a side who will comfortably hold on to their Premier League status.
The only goal of the game came after 25 minutes. The Ecuadorean wing Jefferson Montero, who was playing in the club’s under 21 side last month, whipped in a cross that Matt Miazga headed into the path of Sigurdsson. The club’s leading scorer made no mistake with a volley from 15 yards.
Chelsea should have been level at half time. With the last kick of the half, Alexandre Pato scuffed his shot wide from barely eight yards. It summed up Chelsea’s first 45 minutes. With Kenedy having replaced the out-of-sorts Miazga at the interval, Chelsea looked a more compact unit at the back. It provided a platform on which Cesc Fabregas and Jon Obi Mikel began to dictate the pace.
Pato had a goal disallowed, correctly, for handling the ball outside the box whilst at the opposite end, a better touch from Alberto Paloschi would surely have led to a second for Swansea.
With Chelsea having stepped up their endeavour, the game was significantly more open and when Pedro picked out Pato, the striker’s deft touch saw the ball shave the far post.
However, that was the last of the goalmouth action and Swansea, despite one or two scares, duly took the most important three points of their hit-and-miss season.
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Mail;
Swansea 1-0 Chelsea:
Gylfi Sigurdsson volley gives Francesco Guidolin's side victory as Guus Hiddink suffers first league defeat
By RIATH AL-SAMARRAI FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY
If he didn’t know it already, Antonio Conte will now be familiar with just how fickle Chelsea can be. The team that fell so far and climbed back so well delivered one of those mystifyingly bad afternoons that Guus Hiddink must have thought was behind them.
To his immense credit, such displays are plainly the exception these days and not the norm that they had become under Jose Mourinho.
But in the process of suffering their first league defeat of the Dutchman’s second coming, Chelsea did plummet to a quite feeble low here. They were especially dreadful in the first half, undermined by frequent defensive errors and unable to adapt to a Swansea side that suddenly and without warning started playing exceptionally well.
Gylfi Sigurdsson got the goal that settled the match, volleying his ninth goal in 14 games in the 25th minute and taking Swansea to the notionally important mark of 40 points. In a wretched season, it was a brilliantly bright performance and a result that was thoroughly deserved.
Hiddink, whose side had been unbeaten in 15 prior to this trip, said: ‘We expected a tough game - they needed three points and we were safe. We had a soft target (to beat relegation) we had already achieved, so we expected a lot of opposition. We created some chances in the first 20 minutes but we were sloppy in taking those options.
‘If you do not take those chances you get into trouble and we got into trouble. It is disappointing, it is not about me (and his unbeaten record) but the objective is to win games. We gave some younger players the opportunity to play and it means there is a risk to lose games. I prefer to have this risk.’
Asked if Conte’s confirmation as manager may have had an effect on the performance, Hiddink said: ‘It is not just about a new manager - you have to show at a club like this what you are capable of. The players have to be internally motivated, that is a key condition to being at a club like Chelsea.’
While 20-year-old Matt Miazga was given a chance, and ended up leaving the game at half-time after being tormented by Jefferson Montero, Hiddink could at least point to an impressive performance from Asmir Begovic, who was selected ahead of Thibaut Courtois. The latter is being linked with a summer move away, but Hiddink was adamant the selection was merely a reward for his patience in sitting on the bench.
Hiddink said: ‘He has done his job as a professional very well, he is 100 per cent committed in every training session and that is why I rewarded him with the chance to play.’
For Swansea, this was an uplifting breath of fresh air. The only questions manager Francesco Guidolin might now ask himself is why it took so long to give Montero his first league start of the season – he was a serious menace on the left wing - and why football as attractive as this has been so elusive, even in the process of Swansea winning four of their past six games.
The Italian, whose future is not yet decided beyond the summer, said: ‘That was the best performance since I took over. I knew we could play this way but as a new manager I had to get to know my players and hereI saw my team play as I want, with intensity and aggression. We deserved to win by more and we should have scored a couple more in the first half.
‘I think we are safe now. We know it is not completely done but now I think we can see a way forward and are not looking behind. It is an important moment for the club.’
On Montero, he added: ‘He played well and know I can say we have another important player. I am happy for him and for my team. It gives me more solutions for this team. He played very well with and without the ball, which is important.’
The winger repeatedly caused trouble for Chelsea, leading to both Cesar Azpilicueta and Miazga getting booked in the first half the latter ultimately being hauled off at the break. Before that, Montero had already caused difficulties with a 25th-minute cross that Miazga failed to clear, allowing Sigurdsson to volley the winner.
Chelsea’s day was summed up when Alexandre Pato had their best chance in the second half but opted to flick his finish instead of something more simple and effective. The shot went wide and Hiddink quietly seethed. Who knows what Conte made of it all.
MATCH FACTS, PLAYER RATINGS, PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE AND MATCH ZONE
Swansea (4-2-3-1): Fabianski 6; Rangel 6, Fernandez 6.5, Williams 7.5, Taylor 6.5; Cork 7.5, Fer 7.5; Ayew 6 (Routledge 67, 6), Sigurdsson 7.5, Montero 8 (Naughton 84); Paloschi 7 (Gomis 75, 6)
Subs not used: Amat, Ki, Nordfeldt, Barrow.
Booked: Rangel, Paloschi, Taylor, Fer, Williams
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Begovic 7; Azpilicueta 5.5, Miazga 4.5 (Kenedy 46, 6), Ivanovic 6, Baba 6; Mikel 6, Fabregas 5; Oscar 6, Loftus-Cheek 6.5 (Falcao 76), Pedro 6.5; Pato 4.5 (Traore 64)
Subs not used: Courtois, Aina, Palmer, Colkett.
Booked: Azpilicueta, Miazga, Pedro, Fabregas
Referee: Andre Marriner
MOM: Jefferson Montero
Att: 20,966
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Mirror:
Swansea 1-0 Chelsea: Gylfi Sigurdsson strikes to end Guus Hiddink's streak - 5 things we learned
BY ANDREW GWILYM
The Icelandic international's first half strike was enough to give the Swans all three points and end Hiddink's unbeaten run in the Premier League
Swansea claimed a first Premier League win over Chelsea to serve notice of the task facing new Blues boss Antonio Conte.
Gylfi Sigurdsson scored the only goal of the game, volleying home a poor Matt Miazga clearance, to all but secure top-flight survival for the Welsh club.
Chelsea, admittedly without several injury absentees, were well off the pace as they suffered a first league defeat under interim boss Guus Hiddink.
Pato missed their best chance when he blazed wide from six yards in first-half stoppage time, while the Brazilian also turned a Pedro cross wide.
But they were undermined by an uncertain defensive display, with Jefferson Montero tearing them to shreds for the second time this season.
Five things we learned
Chelsea need to give John Terry a new deal
The saga over John Terry’s Chelsea future will only continue after this unconvincing defensive performance.
Given Matt Miazga’s horrendous struggle here it is hard to see how Terry would not be an asset for new boss Antonio Conte.
Begovic audition hindered by blundering defence
This was Begovic’s chance to stake an early claim for the number one jersey ahead of Conte’s arrival but he was often exposed by the blunders of those ahead of him.
He was helpless for Sigurdsson’s goal and had a couple of nervy moments with the ball at his feet.
No easy task for Conte
Conte was probably under no illusions about the size of his job at Stamford Bridge, but this will have rammed the message home.
Even with their injury problems this was not a side short on experience or assorted winners’ medals, but they were cowed by a hungry Swansea display.
Montero makes mockery of absence
The flying winger started for the first time under Francesco Guidolin and wasted no time in showing the absurdity of his recent omission by terrorising Chelsea for the second time this season.
Swansea are so much more threatening with his pace in the side.
Guidolin worthy of Swansea consideration
Francesco Guidolin’s time at Swansea has almost already been written into the past tense with the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Chris Coleman and Frank de Boer mentioned as leading contenders to take over this summer.
But it is worth remembering the Swans were just two points above the drop zone when he arrived and this was their best performance since the opening months of the season.
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Express:
Swansea 1 - Chelsea 0: Conte faces big challenge as shoddy showing ensures hosts' safety
FUTURE Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has an awful lot to fix before the start of the next season.
By HARRY PRATT
Swansea beat Chelsea for the first time in Premier League history
Certainly on this evidence, the Italy coach, whose arrival at Stamford Bridge after Euro 2016 was confirmed last week, appears to have his work cut out to revive the fallen English champions.
Sure, yesterday’s reverse may have been the Blues’ first defeat in 15 league games since temporary coach Guus Hiddink replaced Jose Mourinho in December.
And, before anyone gets too carried away with a disappointing performance, it should be noted their line-up contained a number of youngsters still hoping to make the grade.
However, that cannot excuse the meek manner in which Chelsea were comprehensively outplayed by a Swansea side still not totally safe from relegation danger.
If Conte did not already know much investment is needed to strengthen the squad, he definitely does now.
Boss Hiddink said: “We were sloppy in possession and didn’t create nearly enough. It was as if we thought chances would just materialise.
“It’s not only about players showing the new manager what they can do because, at a big club like Chelsea, you have to show what you are capable of every game – and that you are internally motivated. That’s a key condition.
“My personal unbeaten run has ended. It’s disappointing. But I was prepared to put that at risk by giving some younger players their chance.”
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s first-half strike was enough to secure Swansea’s first ever Premier League victory over Chelsea.
The in-form Icelandic star’s ninth goal in his last 14 outings means Francesco Guidolin’s Welsh strugglers now have the magical 40 points.
Barring an absurd twist in events, they can look forward to a sixth straight year among the elite. What the result does for their Italian gaffer Guidolin’s long-term job prospects remains to be seen.
The man himself declared: “Yes, I think we are safe now. Not absolutely safe but we’re looking up.
“This was the best performance in my three months here. I’d like to have the chance to work more with these players but right now my situation is not important.
“We are in a much better place than when I came. I hope I’ve done the job I was asked to do.”
Swansea’s Recalled Jefferson Montero took an age to deliver his cross yet Matt Miazga’s headed clearance fell for Sigurdsson, who rifled in a bouncing first-time volley.
Talk about being clinical – and if Leroy Fer had repeated that trick immediately after Swansea would have been well on their way to a memorable victory.
As it was they had to settle for a narrow lead at the break – and were mighty relieved to even have that to show for their dominance.
Chelsea should have levelled – but Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato, who scored on his debut last week, somehow contrived to miss an open goal from six yards out.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jefferson Montero – the sun was shining so the Swans winger did the same. Shame he doesn’t do it more often.
SWANSEA: Fabianski; Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Cork, Fer, Sigurdsson, Ayew (Routledge 67), Montero (Naughton 84), Paloschi (Gomis 75)
CHELSEA: Begovic; Azpilicueta, Miazga (Kenedy 45), Ivanovic, Baba; Mikel, Fabregas, Oscar, Loftus-Cheek (Falcao 76), Pedro; Pato (Traore 64)
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Star:
Swansea 1 Chelsea 0: Sigurdsson on target as Swans reach 40-point barrier
FUTURE Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has an awful lot to fix before the start of the next season.
By Harry Pratt
Certainly on this evidence, the Italy coach – whose arrival at Stamford Bridge after Euro 2016 was confirmed last week – appears to have his work cut out to revive the fallen English champions.
Yesterday’s reverse may have been the Blues’ first defeat in 16 league games since temporary coach Guus Hiddink replaced Jose Mourinho in December.
And before anyone gets too carried away with a disappointing display, it should be noted the Chelsea line-up contained a number of youngsters still hoping to make the grade.
But that cannot excuse the meek manner in which they were comprehensively outplayed by a Swansea side still not totally safe from relegation.
If Conte did not already know much investment is needed to strengthen the squad, he definitely does now.
“We were sloppy in possession and didn’t create nearly enough,” said a dejected Hiddink.
“It was as if we thought chances would just materialise.
“It’s not only about players showing the new manager what they can do because, at a big club like Chelsea, you have to show what you are capable of every game – and that you are internally motivated. That’s a key condition.”
In contrast, Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin was thrilled with his team and said: “I think we are safe now. Not absolutely safe but we’re looking up.
“This was the best performance in my three months here. I’d like to have the chance to work more with these players but right now my situation is not important.”
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s first-half strike was enough to secure the Swans’ first Premier League victory over Chelsea.
The in-form Iceland star’s ninth goal in his last 14 outings means Guidolin’s side now have the magical 40 points.
In truth, they should have won by a bigger margin after dominating from the start.
And barring an absurd twist they can look forward to a sixth straight year among the elite.
Conte will be running the rule over his players – and no one on show at the Liberty Stadium did themselves any favours.
Fresh from giving Aston Villa a pasting last Saturday, this trip was always going to be a tougher proposition for Hiddink’s Blues as, despite their own lowly position, Swansea are several cuts above the doomed Midlanders.
They almost broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when Angel Rangel burst into the box before shooting wide.
Eight minutes later they were ahead as Sigurdsson showed his Spanish team-mate how to finish.
Recalled Jefferson Montero took an age to deliver his cross but Chelsea defender Matt Miazga’s headed clearance fell perfectly for Sigurdsson, who rifled in a first-time volley.
And if Leroy Fer had repeated that trick immediately after, Swansea would have been well on their way to a memorable victory.
As it was, they had to settle for a narrow lead at the break – and were mighty relieved to even have that to show for their dominance.
After failing to create a single chance for 44 minutes, Chelsea should have been level in time added on at the end of the first half.
But Brazil striker Alexandre Pato somehow missed an open goal from six yards out.
That was a timely warning to the hosts that they needed a second-half display every bit as good to grab all the points. And they did not disappoint.
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