10-man Chelsea held 2-2 by Swansea, Man United edges Spurs

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho found a new target for his criticism after his team was lucky to escape with a 2-2 draw at home against Swansea to kick off its English Premier League title defence.

In a hectic spell midway through the first half, Oscar put the hosts ahead in the 23rd minute, Andre Ayew leveled in the 29th, and Chelsea’s lead was restored with an own goal by Swansea defender Federico Fernandez.

Referee Michael Oliver showed the Belgian keeper a red card and Gomis got up to slot the penalty past his replacement in goal, new signing Asmir Begovic.

A home clash with Newcastle is Swansea’s next test – a match Garry Monk’s men approach buoyed by such an impressive display in west London.

“I don’t want [to make a comment on the decision]”.

José Mourinho, a master at creating a diversionary story to deflect attention away from a disappointing result, turned on his medical staff after Chelsea’s opening draw with Swansea.

Chelsea travel to the Etihad Stadium to play Manchester City next Sunday, before facing Tony Pulis’ West Brom at The Hawthorns the following week.

“I am sure this is not the last we have heard and Mourinho is not happy”.

2-2 was how it ended and Mourinho was pleased with how his team played in the first half, though he was unwilling to explain what he felt of the referee’s decision to send Courtois off and award a penalty, which changed the game.

The rules regarding treatment mean that unless it is a serious injury players must leave the field of play to receive medical care before they are allowed to return.

But the Portuguese denied this and said: “No, it is just because the first time I can control myself”.

However, the visitors’ feelgood factor lasted little more than a minute as Chelsea regained the lead with something of a freak goal.

Chelsea need to get a jump on things by getting a good result against Swansea.

“Yes, I spoke to him about this seriously”, Monk said.

And the manager added: “This result should give the players confidence but we know in this league you can get bitten badly in any situation so we have to be focused”.

“Then after the penalty, red card, goal, everything is different“. I was sure that Eden didn’t have a serious problem.

“It was a very hard game because you have seen two teams that want to press, so every player at the ball had a very small (amount of) time to play”, Van Gaal said.

Swansea rallied and came back into the game.

“As they were at home and this is the first game, it was important that we got a point and I think that was the least that our supporters deserved”.