Azpilicueta admits Chelsea disappointment at Swansea draw

The ESPN FC panel react to Chelsea’s draw with Swansea City, and Diego Costa’s performance in particular.

Oscar pounced on the loose ball and neatly teed up Costa to unleash an impressive curling finish from just inside the Swansea area.

“If you ask me if the defenders deserved a second yellow card [for fouls on the forward], I don’t want to reply on this”.

Costa first struck 18 minutes into a half of nearly relentless Chelsea pressure after Swansea’s defensive frailties were exposed. We have always conceded one or two goals, which is a shame.

“In the second half they had a good counter attack”.

‘Don’t forget about Antonio Conte, ‘ he said. Sigurdsson thumped the resulting penalty confidently into the middle, sending Courtois to his right.

The two goals came from mistakes so obviously it’s disappointing.

Costa then ensured Antonio Conte’s side got a share of the spoils with a late over-head kick, although Cahill was still angered by the goal-costing decision.

It didn’t prove to be a totally disastrous error from Marriner as the Blues equalised through Diego Costa in the final 10 minutes. Neither team managed to add to the tally so both teams shared a point each. I’ve not spoken to the referee.

Costa took his season’s tally to six goals in five appearances for club and country but his two at the Liberty Stadium were not enough to prevent Conte shedding his first points as Chelsea manager.

The Spain striker wasted a big chance to put Chelsea 2-0 up before half-time when he missed from close range, but he was a real handful and looks like he is back to his best form. “The spirit of the team was very good”.

After Chelsea’s second goal, only a brilliant Fabianski save denied Costa a hat-trick and the visitors all three points. “He’s a great player, a great goal scorer, and we’re very happy to play with him”.

“After Chelsea’s first goal I saw my team not playing well and chose to change something before the end of the first half”, he said.

Having lost their previous two fixtures, the Swans were staring at the prospect of suffering three successive defeats under Francesco Guidolin for the first time. “I am sorry for Neil Taylor, but I decided this way because we needed a reaction”.