After an early resurgence under Carlos Carvalhal, Swansea City have endured a prolonged dip in form and that leaves them lurking around the relegation spots. Carvalhal tried take points off Chelsea but the Swans conceded quite early in the game and then could not find any breakthrough in the final third to sneak a point. The Swans were compact in defence after Cesc Fabregas’ early goal, but the manager would have loved to see some more attacking firepower. Nevertheless, here we rate the Swans from their loss to Chelsea:
Lukasz Fabianski: 7/10
Had little chance to save Fabregas’s goal but was aware thereafter and made a couple of routine saves but wasn’t tested much.
Connor Roberts: 7/10
Earned his debut yesterday and was quite strong defensively, but also displayed his ball playing abilities by moving the ball forward on some occasions.
Mike van der Hoon: 8/10
He closed down any spaces in and near the box and marshalled the defensive line. He was quite vocal and read the game well by intercepting some testing passes.
Kyle Naughton: 6/10
Moved around the defensive line and tried to close down spaces but was often overrun by the Chelsea forwards and he took a tad bit more time to adjust himself to the physicality that Olivier Giroud offered.
Alfie Mawson: 7/10
Solid and strong on the ball. Dealt with Giroud well and was always first to the get to the ball and ward off potential attacking moves.
Martin Olsson: 6/10
Olsson always tried to create something notable from the wings and put in a couple of testing deliveries into the box. He dominated his flank but could not deliver the final needed assist as such.
Ki Sung-Yeung: 5/10
Grew into the game as time progressed but could have been a bit more adventurous with possession and more tenacious without the ball. Not his best day at the office.
Sam Clucas: 7/10
Tried to impact the game more as both the other midfielders had off days. Clucas looked like the only one who could influence any attacking movements as he was picking the right men at dangerous positions and constantly moved around in the pockets of space.
Andy King: 5/10
King was sloppy in possession and failed to press the Chelsea midfielders as he was off the pace and a bit lost with the ball at his feet.
Andre Ayew: 6/10
Had a couple of decent chances to put the game to bed but his header was quite weak and then Ayew was not clinical enough to finish off the half chances.
Jordon Ayew: 6/10
Jordon pressed high up on the pitch to provide the first line of defence but his timely runs into the box bore no fruit as the final touch was missing and hence Swans could not open up their goal tally.
Substitutes
Nathan Dyer: 5/10
Was a more notable presence and linked up well on a couple of occasions but could not provide the needed delivery inside the box.
Tom Carroll: 5/10
Similar to Dyer; showed some good awareness by picking up and carrying the ball from the midfield, but, could not provide what was needed from him.
Wayne Routledge: 5/10
Too little time on the field, but had one of the best moments to get the equaliser. He took a rather weak shot and would surely be disappointed with himself for that.
