MediaGist

5 Things We Learned As Antonio Conte’s Spanish Trio Stretch Lead To

Diego Costa scored his 16th Premier League goal of the season to put Chelsea 11 points clear at the top of the table.

Costa struck in the 85th minute to seal victory after Pedro had put Chelsea ahead after 72 minutes following a horrible mistake by Swansea keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
That ruined Swansea’s hopes of getting a point from Stamford Bridge after Fernando Llorente’s header cancelled out Cesc Fabregas’s opener.

Diego Costa fires home to make it safe (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

But Chelsea’s persistence eventually paid off as they took full advantage of Manchester City having the weekend off to extend their lead at the top.
Swansea will feel hard done by as referee Neil Swarbrick did not give a penalty when Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta was guilty of a clear handball with the score still 1-1.

1. Heading with Fernando

Fernando Llorente leaps and heads home (Photo: REUTERS)

Fernando Llorente is the best header of the ball in the Premier League
One chance, one goal and it throws up a debate over who is the best striker when it comes to headers in the Premier League.
Llorente just ghosted onto Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free kick, lost his marker and headed brilliantly beyond Thibaut Courtois.
Llorente has been vital in Swansea’s improved results, a top quality centre forward and there are few better in the air. Who else? Andy Carroll, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Christian Benteke. I’d take Llorente’s aerial power over those guys.

2. Classy Chelsea pay tribute

Lampard said farewell (Photo: 2017 Getty Images)

A touch of class from Chelsea as they did a special wrap round edition of their match day programme.
They paid tribute to Frank Lampard, one of the club’s all time greats, if not the greatest player in the club’s history.
Lampard, who announced his retirement earlier this month, scored 211 goals in 648 games and won 13 trophies during a glorious career at Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea fans sang his name throughout the game and at half time when he did a lap of honour before making a brilliant speech to thank the fans. Pure class all round.

3. Paul Clement’s tactics can keep Swansea up

The Swans are much improved under Clement’s stewardship (Photo: 2017 Getty Images)

Five weeks ago Swansea were bottom of the Premier League but Paul Clement has inspired a brilliant run which can keep them up.
Never mind this, their next four games are Burnley (home); Hull City (away); Bournemouth (away) and Middlesbrough (home). Swansea can beat the odds yet again.
Massive credit must go to Swansea. A shambles before Christmas, now they are so well organised. A 4-3-3 going forward, quickly becomes a 4-5-1 when they lose possession and have to defend.
Well drilled, well coached and hard to beat.

4. Jose Mourinho revisited

Conte was on his best behaviour on the touchline (Photo: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

It was this game last season that probably spelt the beginning of the end for Jose Mourinho.
It actually seems longer but the opening day of August 2015 was the game when Mourinho lost the plot with Chelsea medic Eva Caneiro after a 2-2 draw.
That seems an eternity ago now but it’s hard to imagine Antonio Conte ever behaving quite as badly.

5. Cesc Fabregas marks a milestone

Fabregas takes the plaudits (Photo: 2017 Getty Images)

Fabregas scored the opening goal on his 300th Premier League appearance and remind us all that he is a top class player, one of the best midfielders of his generation.
The Spain World Cup winner enjoyed a glorious career at Arsenal, went to Barcelona and did not quite live up to his hopes but has found a nice home at Chelsea.
Although not a guaranteed starter, Fabregas is one hell of a player to have on the bench and in the squad. He started this one, scored with a nice finish and showed what a valuable player he has been for Chelsea.

11 Points