Chelsea 4–2 Swansea City
It has been a long old search, but Chelsea have found their goal machine – and he goes by the name of Diego Costa.
A first Premier League hat trick for the Spaniard – his fifth, sixth and seventh goals in four games in England – elevated Chelsea to the status of clear league leaders.
It also ensured that whatever happens from here on in, Costa will be remembered as a folk hero in these parts.Kick off was preceded by an appreciation for Lord Attenborough – who died three weeks ago aged 90.
Stamford Bridge rose as one to salute a man rightly described as 'a true saviour of the club'.Meanwhile, Swansea's support certainly started the match with confidence - with a round of “I know you don't believe us, we're gonna win the league.”
That confidence obviously transposed onto the pitch, where early Chelsea chances, notably from Costa, didn't seem to trouble Garry Monk's side. And it was they who gained the first advantage in the 10 minute.
A cross from Neil Taylor, along the edge of Chelsea's six yard box, found John Terry – tracking back and covering his man.Somehow, instead of clearing it, the Blues captain uncharacteristically fluffed the moment – turning the ball into his own net.
The goal should have provided a wake-up call for Chelsea. But they they continued to doze.So often they lost the ball in midfield, while Swansea seemed to make more of their chances – sending awkward balls into the Blues' box. At one stage, Mourinho grabbed Cesc Fabregas by the arm and delivered a 30 second tactical lecture which, if his hand signals were to be believed, required the reshaping of the whole team.
Bit by bit things came together – but it seemed to take an age.Right on the break Chelsea won a corner – Fabregas the man to send the ball soaring into the box. And who else should be on the end of it but Costa – to net his fifth goal of the season.
It was that crack partnership, of Fabregas and Costa, so valuable in the opening to this season – which went on to deliver Chelsea's second. Ten minutes after the re-start, the Chelsea pressure started to mount.A sublime move on the left saw Fabregas work a one-two with a turning Eden Hazard, before cutting the ball back to Costa - who found the net again.
The hat trick came a dozen minutes later – sub Ramires sweeping in an assist from the edge of the box for Costa to pop up and side-foot past Lukasz Fabianski. Shortly after that, and with his work done for the day, Costa headed off to watch the rest of the game with a well-earned coffee, new signing Loic Remy replacing him up front.
The fresh recruit wasted no time in opening his own Chelsea account – eight minutes to be precise. With Hazard having gone on a long run into the dead-end of Swansea's left side, he passed back to Oscar. The Brazillian passed to his own left for Remy to fire home.
A late Swansea second, from the boot of Jonjo Shelvey, only slightly dampened the spirits of a jubilant Stamford Bridge. Three points clear at the top of the league, and the strikers scoring for fun. Few Blues' fans could have wished for more.
