Chelsea put five past goalless Swansea in comprehensive Premier League win

John Terry believes that if Chelsea can carry off at least one piece of silverware this season, they might be spoken about in the same breath as Jose Mourinho’s classes of 2004 to 2007.

Mourinho’s current crop are still on target for a domestic and European quadruple. They are top of the league, safely through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, a semi-finalist in the Capital One Cup and comfortably into the last 16 of the Champions League.

However, according to Terry, they will have to win something to even contemplate a place alongside the teams Mourinho led to successive Premier League titles, two League Cups and the FA Cup, during his first spell at Stamford Bridge.

Since he returned, Chelsea have failed to win anything. But on the evidence of Saturday’s five-goal thumping of Swansea, it would take a brave man to bet against at least one trophy this season.

Terry said; “Once again, we have top, top players. But until we go and win things, it’s not there yet. That will be the test.

“We have shown in the first half of the season that we are capable of pushing the top sides and that is what we aim to do.

“Our motivation in the dressing room is to win the league, push on in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night, the Champions League and the FA Cup.

“It’s down to us big players to step up and let everyone else decide, that once we win stuff, we are a good side.”

Chelsea led inside a minute thanks to a stunning finish from the outstanding Oscar, who seized on an error by Gylfi Sigurdsson to beat Lukasz Fabianski from 20 yards.

Diego Costa weighed in with two more as Swansea imploded before the break and Oscar added a second to round off a first half that was nothing less than men against boys. Admittedly, Swansea were missing key players, including Jonjo Shelvey, Ki Sung Yyeung and Leon Britton, but they were careless throughout.

In fact, had it not have been for the woodwork and some wayward finishing, the half-time tally could have been nearer 10.

Manager Garry Monk was perplexed at the interval and beside himself at full-time. He immediately apologised to the fans after the game, whilst Fabianski, whose defence provided him with paper-thin cover, backed his side to strike back immediately against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup next Saturday lunchtime.

“We have to hit back, there is no other way,” said the Pole.

“We did not give ourselves a chance here. We all know we were very poor and that should give us motivation to prepare ourselves for the next one.”

Fabianski, who has never kept a clean sheet against Chelsea, believes Mourinho’s side will go on and win the title and has little doubt that they hold the edge over their closest rival.

“If I’m completely honest, I think they are stronger than Manchester City.

“Their attacking force is something really different. They are very sharp, quick and technical. They are very, very strong. We saw that today. If you make a mistake they seize on it straight away and make you pay.”

Terry, meanwhile, was delighted to have overtaken Frank Lampard’s appearance record for the club and is looking ahead to even better times at the Bridge.

It’s now 649 appearances for the central defender who lies third in the club’s all-time list behind Ron Harris and Peter Bonetti. He had little to do on Saturday, but should have plenty to occupy his mind when he breaks the 650 barrier against Liverpool in tomorrow’s Capital One Cup semi final game at Anfield.

“I think it’s going to take some doing to catch the other two,” said Terry. “However, I’m delighted to be where I am at the moment. I’m looking to improve upon that and keep going.

“When I was 18 and 19, on 14 or 15 games and looking at the likes of Wisey on 200 or 300 games, I used to think ‘Wow’.

“But I’m there now and I’m looking to push on. I’m feeling great.”

Mourinho could tinker with his side for the game on Merseyside, but whatever side he picks, Chelsea are playing with such a swagger that Liverpool will find it difficult to take anything at all from the game.

SWANSEA CITY (4-2-3-1): Fabianski (6); Tiendalli (5), Williams (6), Fernandez (5), Taylor (5); Dyer (5; Barrow 74,6), Oliveira (5; Fulton 68,5); Routledge (4; Emnes 31, 6), Sigurdsson (5), Gomis (5).

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Cech (6); Ivanovic (7), Cahill (6), Terry (6), Luis (7); Matic (7), Fabregas (8; Ramires 74,6) Willian (7; Schurrle 76,7); Oscar (9), Hazard (7); Costa (8; Remy 74,7).

Referee: J Moss.