[ 2015-08-10 ]

Andre Ayew scores on Swansea debut against Chelsea
Chelsea had Thibaut Courtois sent off as they
started their Premier League title defence with a
draw against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.

Oscar's free-kick put the Blues ahead before Andre
Ayew stabbed a close-range equaliser after keeper
Courtois had kept out Bafetimbi Gomis's header.

Federico Fernandez put Willian's cross past his
own keeper before Courtois was sent off after
bringing down Gomis.

New signing Asmir Begovic came on but failed to
stop Gomis's spot-kick.

Swansea played with an extra man for more than
half an hour but could not make the most of the
advantage.

The dangerous Gomis had the ball in the net but
was ruled offside while Jefferson Montero, who was
excellent throughout, forced a fine save from
Begovic.

Much has been made of Chelsea's failure to attract
a box-office name from outside the Premier League
this summer.

Even Jose Mourinho has warned of the danger of
standing still yet neither of Chelsea's two main
close-season buys started.

The Chelsea boss started with Diego Costa, despite
claiming in the build-up that the forward was a
major doubt, but the Spain international rarely
looked like scoring, let alone repeating his
hat-trick in the corresponding fixture last
season.

The champions contributed to a high-tempo,
entertaining game but did not look like a side
that won the league by eight points last season.

Even before Courtois's dismissal, Swansea had more
shots than the hosts and were lively throughout,
full of enterprise and in Montero had one of the
best players on the pitch.

It does not get any easier for Chelsea, with last
season's nearest challengers Manchester City next
up.

It is no secret that the champions have been
trying to strengthen their defence, with Everton's
John Stones a target.

There's still another three weeks before the 1
September deadline. But if Chelsea's current
defence was trying to persuade Mourinho not to
strengthen the back four, they failed.

Ayew, Swansea's new signing from Marseille, took
his goal well but the opposition defence were slow
to react after Courtois had done well to keep out
Gomis's powerful header.

There was a scare when Swansea rattled Chelsea's
post straight from a corner shortly before
Courtois's dismissal. Television replays showed
referee Michael Oliver was right to produce a red
card despite strong protests from John Terry.

Source - BBC

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