Played
September 24, 2011 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee: D. Mohareb
Attendance: 41800
September 24, 2011 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee: D. Mohareb
Attendance: 41800
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Chelsea 4-1 Swansea City: Torres scores and is sent off as Ramires and Drogba kill off Welsh threat
The Blues sealed an easy victory despite a moment of madness from the Spaniard with Ashley Williams getting the sole reply for the Welsh side
By Kieran Crowley
Fernando Torres scored in the first half and was sent off 10 minutes later, but a brace from Ramires and an insurance goal from Didier Drogba ensured Chelsea a 4-1 win over visiting Swansea City. Despite playing with 10 men for the whole second half the Blues never looked really troubled despite Ashley Williams' goal for the Welsh outfit.
Drogba and Frank Lampard were both on the bench for the home side with Drogba recovering from his dangerous clash with Norwich keeper John Ruddy last month. The Ivory Coast international believes he is ‘lucky to be still alive’ after the collision which kept him unconscious for eight minutes and perforated his eardrum.
Swansea, which hasn't won at Chelsea since 1925, was. comfortable in the opening stages, keeping a good shape and restricted Chelsea to long range efforts, with Raul Meireles' volley over the bar the closest the home side came.
Chelsea picked up its game as the half wore on and Torres, the man who has been tormented across the nation for his miss at Old Trafford last week, didn’t have to wait long until he was on the scoresheet. After great work from Juan Mata on the edge of the area, Torres received his well-weighted pass over the defense and was able to control superbly to finish into the far corner of the net on the half-hour mark.
Chelsea began to look more convincing in attack and the Swansea defense began to struggle with the constant pressure. It was only a matter of time when Chelsea doubled its lead five minutes later. Ashley Cole delivered an inviting low cross into the box and Ramires latched onto it to finish through Michel Vorm’s legs.
The home fans began to enjoy the match seeing their team stroke the ball around in their own half with the Welsh side preparing itself for a long afternoon. However, the complexion of the game changed due to a moment of madness from Torres.
In the 40th minute, Mark Gower had the ball on the left side looking forward until Torres came sliding in with studs showing. Mike Riley gave the Spaniard a straight red for the challenge which could have easily resulted in a horrific injury for Gower.
Despite the man advantage, the away side struggled to implement any pressure in the last five minutes and as the teams went in for the break, and Chelsea would still be confident of adding to their lead in the second half.
Brandon Rodgers brought on Wayne Routledge at the start of the second half hoping to provide some width and make the extra man tell. It had a positive effect with Swansea having several chances just after the break with Leon Britton pulling the strings in the midfield.
However, the Swans were almost made to pay for their wastefulness when Nicholas Anelka collected the ball in space 25 yards out and unleashed a fierce drive which smashed the crossbar with Vorm completely beaten.
Swansea continued to pressure the home side but in truth, Chelsea's defense always looked comfortable and the hosts looked threatening on the break. They sealed the game on the 77th minute, when Ramires controlled a Bosingwa cross and finished brilliantly for his second of the match.
Chelsea had 10 men in midweek against Fulham in the League Cup after Alex was sent off but it eventually won on penalties, and once again it looked as though it would seal another 10 man victory. Drogba came on for the impressive Anelka to arguably the loudest applause of the afternoon with the memory of last month’s head injury still fresh.
Swansea continued to push forward and it was rewarded for its efforts five minutes from time when Williams ghosted in at the back post and headed home a Gower cross amidst poor marking from Andre Villas Boas’ side.
However, Chelsea restored the three-goal lead when the returning Drogba finished well after good work from Malouda to seal all three points.
Drogba and Frank Lampard were both on the bench for the home side with Drogba recovering from his dangerous clash with Norwich keeper John Ruddy last month. The Ivory Coast international believes he is ‘lucky to be still alive’ after the collision which kept him unconscious for eight minutes and perforated his eardrum.
Swansea, which hasn't won at Chelsea since 1925, was. comfortable in the opening stages, keeping a good shape and restricted Chelsea to long range efforts, with Raul Meireles' volley over the bar the closest the home side came.
Chelsea picked up its game as the half wore on and Torres, the man who has been tormented across the nation for his miss at Old Trafford last week, didn’t have to wait long until he was on the scoresheet. After great work from Juan Mata on the edge of the area, Torres received his well-weighted pass over the defense and was able to control superbly to finish into the far corner of the net on the half-hour mark.
Chelsea began to look more convincing in attack and the Swansea defense began to struggle with the constant pressure. It was only a matter of time when Chelsea doubled its lead five minutes later. Ashley Cole delivered an inviting low cross into the box and Ramires latched onto it to finish through Michel Vorm’s legs.
The home fans began to enjoy the match seeing their team stroke the ball around in their own half with the Welsh side preparing itself for a long afternoon. However, the complexion of the game changed due to a moment of madness from Torres.
In the 40th minute, Mark Gower had the ball on the left side looking forward until Torres came sliding in with studs showing. Mike Riley gave the Spaniard a straight red for the challenge which could have easily resulted in a horrific injury for Gower.
Despite the man advantage, the away side struggled to implement any pressure in the last five minutes and as the teams went in for the break, and Chelsea would still be confident of adding to their lead in the second half.
Brandon Rodgers brought on Wayne Routledge at the start of the second half hoping to provide some width and make the extra man tell. It had a positive effect with Swansea having several chances just after the break with Leon Britton pulling the strings in the midfield.
However, the Swans were almost made to pay for their wastefulness when Nicholas Anelka collected the ball in space 25 yards out and unleashed a fierce drive which smashed the crossbar with Vorm completely beaten.
Swansea continued to pressure the home side but in truth, Chelsea's defense always looked comfortable and the hosts looked threatening on the break. They sealed the game on the 77th minute, when Ramires controlled a Bosingwa cross and finished brilliantly for his second of the match.
Chelsea had 10 men in midweek against Fulham in the League Cup after Alex was sent off but it eventually won on penalties, and once again it looked as though it would seal another 10 man victory. Drogba came on for the impressive Anelka to arguably the loudest applause of the afternoon with the memory of last month’s head injury still fresh.
Swansea continued to push forward and it was rewarded for its efforts five minutes from time when Williams ghosted in at the back post and headed home a Gower cross amidst poor marking from Andre Villas Boas’ side.
However, Chelsea restored the three-goal lead when the returning Drogba finished well after good work from Malouda to seal all three points.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
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Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
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scheduled
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Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie Striker Man United |
26 | 3 |
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Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
|
Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
|
C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |
