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Own goal stalls Swansea against Chelsea

Comment: 0 February 1st, 2012

THANKS to a deflected goal, Chelsea were able to salvage a point against Swansea City in their Premier League match at the Liberty Stadium for a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

Though the final score indicated both teams scored, both chances were created by Swansea, who ended up denying themselves three points because of a single mistake.

Swansea controlled much of the first half in terms of both possession and also threatened at different times, at one time even causing Chelsea Petr Cech to come out of the box to defend his net.

The home team nearly nabbed the lead at the seventh minute with an attempt by Danny Graham from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free kick, which was pushed wide by Blues defender Branislav Ivanovic.

Swansea created spaces and chances thanks to their excellent brand of passing football which has helped their success in the Premier League this season. In the 16^th, Sigurdsson played a long ball which could have found the net if David Luiz didn’t get a block in. Graham also had a subsequent chance but was thwarted.

The hard work came to fruition on the 40^th minute when Scott Sinclair volleyed the ball past Cech from a set-piece.

The second half saw Chelsea trying to find an equaliser as they held on to the ball and created a few chances of their own.

Mickael Essien was subbed in to replace a seemingly fumbling Oriol Romeu during the first half. The Ghana international immediately made his presence felt by blasting a beautiful attempt from outside the box that flew just above Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm.

The physicality of the match was also apparent with first half bookings and two-footed challenges that eluded calls from the official. On the 86^th though, Swansea looked to get the advantage as Chelsea defender Ashley Cole was sent off following his second yellow of the match for taking down Nathan Dyer. Cole will also miss Chelsea’s tie against Manchester United on Sunday.

Unfortunately for Swansea, luck was still on Chelsea’s side by injury time as defender Jose Bosingwa played the ball into the box but deflected off Neil Taylor to directly go into the net, counting as an own goal for the Swans.

Though obviously disappointed, Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers still hailed his side’s performance after the match.

“It was disappointing to lose the goal so late but I can give nothing but credit to the players,” he said.

Chelsea are currently seven points behind Tottenham, who won 3-1 against Wigan on Tuesday at White Hart Lane.

Swansea are 13^th on the table, nine points above the drop zone.

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