Chelsea failed to begin their Premier League title defence with three points on Saturday night, despite leading against Swansea City twice at Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho’s champions, who played for much of the second half with 10 men after Thibaut Courtois was sent off, were held to a 2-2 draw by the Welsh side.
Swansea were more than deserving of their parity with the Blues.
The visitors began the game on the front foot, only to fall behind against the run of play midway through the first half when Oscar’s inswinging free-kick deceived Lukas Fabianski and curled into the net.
Unperturbed, Swansea responded and equalised within six minutes when summer signing Andre Ayew pounced on a rebound, after Courtois had saved Bafetimbi Gomis’s initial effort.
Swansea’s restored parity lasted less than 60 seconds. Chelsea went back ahead courtesy of a total fluke, which occurred when Willian’s cross deflected off Federico Fernandez, who was credited with an own goal.
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Chelsea did not improve following Mourinho’s half-time team talk. In fact, they were even more sluggish after the break.
That sluggishness was punished on 52 minutes when Willian played Gomis onside, before the former Lyon star was tripped by the leg of Courtois, who was correctly sent off and penalised with the concession of a penalty.
Oscar was sacrificed to make way for debutant goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, whose first task was to face a Gomis spot kick. The former Stoke City stopper got nowhere near it and Swansea were level again.
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Swansea sensed the possibility to secure a shock win – and they came close to doing just that.
Gomis had the ball in the net again on 68 minutes, but his fine strike was ruled out for offside.
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