Swansea City 1-0 Chelsea

Gylfi Sigurdsson scores — Gylfi Sigurdsson has now scored nine league goals since the turn of the year

Swansea City claimed an impressive first Premier League win against Chelsea to all but secure their top-flight survival.

The Swans seized on a tepid Chelsea display to dominate the first half and lead through Gylfi Sigurdsson's volley.

The visitors enjoyed more possession after the break but were stifled by the hosts, who are now 13 points clear of the relegation zone.

Chelsea stay 10th after a first league defeat under manager Guus Hiddink.

The reigning champions had been unbeaten in 14 Premier League games under the Dutchman, though they surrendered that record meekly at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea, by contrast, produced what was arguably the most accomplished performance of head coach Francesco Guidolin's tenure.

Reaction from Swansea's victory and the rest of Saturday's Premier League games

Relive the action from the Liberty Stadium

Return of revitalised Montero

Jefferson Montero and Pedro heatmaps — Jefferson Montero (left) was superb in the first half, seeing plenty of the ball and regularly getting into advanced positions near the byeline. By contrast his Chelsea counterpart Pedro (right) was peripheral, with most of his touches coming in his own half

Starting the match 10 points above the bottom three and with survival all but guaranteed, the Swans selected a more attacking team with Jefferson Montero the orchestrator of a vibrant team display.

With injury and a loss of form curbing his progress after a sparkling start to the season, the Ecuadorian winger was making his first start under Guidolin.

Montero probed menacingly at Chelsea's defence and created the game's first chance for Sigurdsson, whose firm shot was palmed away by Asmir Begovic.

It was the same formula which produced the opening goal, as Montero's cross was only half-cleared into the path of Sigurdsson, who guided a left-footed volley into the bottom corner.

Montero ran relentlessly on Swansea's left flank, as Chelsea defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Matt Miazga were both booked for fouls on the 26-year-old.

Conte shadow hangs over sloppy Chelsea

Miazga was substituted at half-time, and Chelsea were fortunate not to be further behind at the break as Sigurdsson and Andre Ayew both had shots saved by Begovic.

It was a ragged display from the visitors, who were playing their first game since confirming Italy manager Antonio Conte would take over at Stamford Bridge after Euro 2016.

The former Juventus boss is likely to have been unimpressed by Chelsea's sloppy defending in south Wales, while their efforts in attack left much to be desired.

Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato was underwhelming on his first start, looking short of match fitness and squandering two promising chances.

Chelsea began to control possession as the match wore on, with Swansea dropping deep as they sensed a precious win was within their grasp.

Despite keeping the ball for long periods, however, Chelsea seldom troubled Lukasz Fabianski in the home goal.

Man of the match - Jefferson Montero

What they said

Guidolin 'very proud' after Chelsea win

Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin: "This is the first victory in the Premier League for Swansea against Chelsea and I am happy and proud. We played very well in the first half, we deserved to score other goals.

"It's a very important win for our fans. It's a good afternoon for our players, our club and our fans. Jefferson Montero is an important player for us. Safety is almost real, but I hope to take other points in the next weeks because it's important to finish well."

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink: "Every defeat hurts but everyone knows the situation we are in, so there's a positive side to bringing in youngsters and seeing what they can do. We defended poorly and gave Sigurdsson a very free chance. We were attacking, attacking, but in the final third we were not sharp enough."

Chelsea were not strong enough - Hiddink

The stats you need to know

Combined with his first spell at Chelsea, it was only Guus Hiddink's second loss in the Premier League (W17 D9).
Only Harry Kane (11) and Sergio Aguero (10) have scored more Premier League goals in 2016 than Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Swansea's past six home league games have produced just seven goals, with no side scoring more than once in any of those fixtures.
The Swans have won three consecutive Premier League home games for the first time since March 2013.
Chelsea have failed to win away from home when Asmir Begovic has played in the Premier League this season (D2 L5).

What's next?

Chelsea host Manchester City on April 16 as they bid to hang on to their top-half status, while Swansea visit relegation-threatened Newcastle on the same day.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Swansea

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Fabianski
22RangelBooked at 30mins
33Fernandez
6WilliamsBooked at 77mins
3TaylorBooked at 43mins
24Cork
8FerBooked at 79mins
10A AyewSubstituted forRoutledgeat 67'minutes
23G Sigurdsson
20MonteroSubstituted forNaughtonat 84'minutes
9PaloschiBooked at 70minsSubstituted forGomisat 75'minutes

Substitutes

2Amat
4Ki Sung-yueng
13Nordfeldt
15Routledge
18Gomis
26Naughton
58Barrow

Chelsea

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Begovic
28AzpilicuetaBooked at 36mins
20MiazgaBooked at 40minsSubstituted forKenedyat 45'minutes
2Ivanovic
6Baba
4FàbregasBooked at 77mins
12Mikel
8Oscar
36Loftus-CheekSubstituted forFalcaoat 76'minutes
17PedroBooked at 71mins
11Da SilvaSubstituted forTraoreat 64'minutes

Substitutes

9Falcao
13Courtois
14Traore
16Kenedy
34Aina
38Palmer
41Colkett

Referee:: Andre Marriner
Attendance:: 20,966

Match Stats

Home TeamSwanseaAway TeamChelsea

Possession: Home39%; Away61%

Shots: Home12; Away8

Shots on Target: Home6; Away2

Corners: Home1; Away9

Fouls: Home15; Away13

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Swansea City 1, Chelsea 0.
90'+6'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Swansea City 1, Chelsea 0.

90'+2'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Kyle Naughton (Swansea City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bafétimbi Gomis.
89'
Post update
Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89'
Post update
Foul by Bafétimbi Gomis (Swansea City).
88'
Post update
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Kyle Naughton.
86'
Post update
Attempt saved. Falcao (Chelsea) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Bertrand Traore with a through ball.
84'
Substitution
Substitution, Swansea City. Kyle Naughton replaces Jefferson Montero.
84'
Post update
Foul by César Azpilicueta (Chelsea).
84'
Post update
Leroy Fer (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81'
Post update
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Angel Rangel.
79'
Booking
Leroy Fer (Swansea City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
79'
Post update
Oscar (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing.
79'
Post update
Foul by Leroy Fer (Swansea City).
76'
Booking
Cesc Fàbregas (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card.
76'
Booking
Ashley Williams (Swansea City) is shown the yellow card.
76'
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea. Falcao replaces Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
76'
Post update
Attempt missed. Jefferson Montero (Swansea City) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Gylfi Sigurdsson with a cross.
75'
Substitution
Substitution, Swansea City. Bafétimbi Gomis replaces Alberto Paloschi.
74'
Post update
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

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