Stuttering Chelsea wear down Swansea

Chelsea 1 Swansea 0: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte may have been sent to the stands against Swansea for losing his temper with the fourth official but his team’s tepid victory could prove an important stepping stone ahead of a month in which the fixture computer has been kind to the Italian.

A goal from defender Antonio Rudiger, his first in the Premier League, was enough for Chelsea to beat relegation-threatened Swansea and continue their recent revival as they bid to close the gap on leaders Manchester City, even if they missed a host of opportunities to win the game by a more convincing margin and took 55 minutes to find the breakthrough.

Perhaps that early frustration helps explain why Conte was so furious when Willian’s dangerous cross just before half-time was clearly deflected for a corner by Alfie Mawson — but referee Neil Swarbrick gave a goal kick. He ranted so loudly at fourth official Lee Mason that he was ordered from the dug-out by and had to watch the rest of the match from the East Stand. He may yet face further sanctions from the FA.