Chelsea manager Antonio Conte apologised to referee Neil Swarbrick after being sent off for protesting to the officials during his side’s narrow win over struggling Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian spent the whole of the second half watching from a television feed in the dressing room after disputing Swarbrick’s decision not to award a corner when the game was goalless.
Chelsea dominated the game but had to wait until the 55th minute for the breakthrough, Germany defender Antonio Rudiger heading in his first Premier League goal after N’Golo Kante’s shot was deflected into his path.
“I apologise for this,” said Conte when asked about his dismissal from the touchline.
“I was frustrated. For sure I made a mistake. During the game I suffer. With my players I suffer. It’s a pity.”
Swansea offered stubborn resistance but did not have a shot on target as they fell to a fifth defeat in six Premier League games.
“We’re so desperate for points at the moment and on another night, a little bit more quality in the final third we might get something,” said Swans boss Paul Clement.
Chelsea 1-0 Swansea: Conte apologised after being sent off
Chelsea remain third in the table while Swansea stay 19th, three points from safety, after a ninth league defeat in 14 games this season.
Conte loses his cool
It was a difficult night for Chelsea until Rudiger’s goal and that manifested itself in Conte’s frustration boiling over when he argued with the officials shortly before the interval.
The former Italy boss, already upset with what he claimed to be time-wasting from Swansea, was unhappy his side was not awarded a 43rd-minute corner after a low cross by Pedro deflected behind off Swansea defender Alfie Mawson.
Conte initially sat in the seats just behind the dug out before disappearing down the tunnel after Swarbrick was unhappy he was so close to the action.
“To watch the game on the video screen and then to not have the possibility to communicate with your players, it’s very strange,” added the 48-year-old.
With the manager banished from the touchline in the second half, substitute Victor Moses took instructions on a piece of paper onto the pitch and passed it to team-mates when he came on.
Will Clement reach first anniversary?
The single-goal scoreline gives the appearance of a close contest, but Chelsea dominated throughout without being able to convert their numerous chances into more than just a solitary goal.
While the hosts had 21 shots, Swansea managed just two throughout the 90 minutes as they fell to a 17th defeat in 32 Premier League games since Clement took charge in January on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
The 45-year-old stated prior to last weekend that he did not expect to be sacked if the Swans lost to Bournemouth on Saturday.
That game ended in a goalless draw and the Swans, who have scored just seven league goals, never seriously looked like adding to that tally against Chelsea.
They have now gone 428 minutes since finding the net in the Premier League, and but for Lukasz Fabianski they would have suffered a bigger defeat.
Clement concerned with lack of chances Swansea are creating
The former Arsenal keeper produced superb saves to twice deny Alvaro Morata, the Spain striker’s volley and then a header being pushed over.
Having steered the Swans away from relegation trouble in the second half of last season, Clement has lost nine times in 14 games this season
Swansea’s bid for a goal was not helped by their on-loan striker Tammy Abraham, scorer of four of their seven goals, being unavailable against his parent club.
Wilfried Bony captained the visitors yet he remains without a Premier League goal since October 2016, while Renato Sanches was substituted at half-time after a disappointing display by the Bayern Munich loan signing.
“We’re not creating many chances and we’re not scoring many goals,” said Clement. “We’ve scored seven goals in 14 games and that’s going to make things very tough.”
Critical December for Blues
This result brought down the curtain on an unbeaten November for the Blues – yet they end the month even further behind leaders Manchester City.
Conte’s team were fourth in the table four weeks ago, nine points off Pep Guardiola’s side.
Despite beating Manchester United, West Brom and Swansea, and drawing away to Liverpool, Chelsea are now third in the table but 11 points off the lead.
However December looks like being a month when the champions could make a dent in City’s handsome lead – if the pace-setters drop any points.
Conte’s side have seven league games against sides currently in the bottom half – Newcastle (home), West Ham (away), Huddersfield (away), Southampton (home), Everton (away), Brighton (home) and Stoke (home) – before the end of the year.
Lukasz Fabianski was the reason Chelsea did not win by a more handsome margin. Swansea’s Poland keeper was excellent throughout and his two saves from Alvaro Morata were outstanding
A-head of the rest – the stats
- Chelsea have scored eight headed goals in the Premier League this season – more than any other side.
- Swansea failed to score in any of their four Premier League games in November.
- Only three clubs have scored fewer goals after 14 games of a Premier League season than Swansea (seven) this season: Derby (five in 2007-08), Bradford (five in 2000-01) and Man City (six in 1995-96).
- Cesar Azpilicueta did not start a Premier League game for Chelsea for the first time since December 2015, having played 90 minutes in their past 74 top-flight matches.
- Swansea failed to get a single shot on target in this match – the fourth time they haven’t had one in a Premier League game this season.
- Overall in 2017-18, the Swans have attempted a league-low 24 shots on target in the Premier League.
What’s next?
Chelsea have a quick turnaround as Newcastle visit Stamford Bridge for a 12:30 GMT kick-off on Saturday – the same day Swansea visit Stoke City (15:00 GMT).
BBC Sport
