CRANKY CONTE
Chelsea boss watches win from stands after turning air blue
ANTONIO CONTE lost it. Thankfully for the Chelsea manager, his players didn’t. The thought of injustice was too much for Conte, who was sent off for an incensed outburst at fourth official Lee Mason just before half-time.
The real injustice, however, would have occurred if Chelsea had left Stamford Bridge last night with anything other than victory.
In the end, Antonio Rudiger’s first Premier League goal for the club was enough to secure a deserved victory against Swansea.
The narrow scoreline doesn’t paint an accurate picture of this encounter. Chelsea, who weren’t at their best, could easily have scored seven or eight on the night.
Conte will wince when he sees replays of his diatribe at Mason. It was unnecessary. Indeed, Conte moved quickly to apologise for his rant, seeking out Mason and referee Neil Swarbrick in the tunnel after the final whistle.
‘I think it’s normal, it’s right to apologise for what happened during the game,’ said Conte.
‘I saw that Swansea were wasting time. I said this a few times to the fourth official and I did not see anything change. I was frustrated for this situation. For sure, I made a mistake.’
At least Conte’s players kept their cool, though Manchester City’s last-gasp winner took some of the gloss off this win.
City’s march to the title is the last thing on Swansea manager Paul Clement’s mind. Defeat against his former club last night extended his side’s sorry run to one win in 11 Premier League games, a sequence that leaves his job in jeopardy.
Firing Clement after this defeat would be harsh: it was the champions after all.
But defeats in their next two fixtures against Stoke and West Bromwich will leave the ex-Chelsea assistant in serious trouble. The moments before kick-off, however, were all about another former Chelsea coach; Dermot Drummy, who passed away earlier this week — a rapturous minute’s applause accompanied by an emotional video montage of the former Crawley Town manager’s time with the Blues.
Chelsea managed 21 shots last night, 11 of those coming in the first half. Yet, somehow, it was goalless at the break.
You could sense the anxiety grow with every squandered opportunity. Conte relented to the frustration in the 42nd minute.
Swansea had just been wrongly awarded a goal-kick after Willian’s low cross ricocheted off Swansea centre back off Alfie Mawson.
Conte was already at boiling point and this decision pushed him over the edge, but that does not excuse his actions. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich watched from the stands as his manager howled in the face of Mason, demanding the fourth official inform Swarbrick of Swansea’s underhanded tactics.
Mason called Swarbrick over and the official immediately dismissed the Italian, who took up position behind the home dug-out. Conte faces the prospect of disciplinary action from the FA.
You would imagine Conte’s reaction would not have been so furious if his team had taken one of the hatful of openings they created. Willian, Alvaro Morata and Marcos Alonso were the most guilty figures in blue, missing excellent chances.
Boos rang round Stamford Bridge at half-time. Officials Swarbrick and Mason were the target of home supporters’ angst, but the Chelsea faithful would have been far from impressed with their team’s composure in front of goal.
But if you think Conte was having a bad day, spare a though for Swansea midfielder Renato Sanches, who was substituted at half-time following a torrid first half.
Chelsea assistant coach Angelo Alessio occupied the technical area for the second half as the Blues continued to dominate.
Finally, in the 55th minute, Chelsea scored the winner.
It took a significant slice of fortune, though: N’Golo Kante’s drive from the edge of the area took a wicked deflection off Wilfried Bony into Rudiger’s path, and the Germany defender had the simplest of tasks to nod the ball home.
Relief. Somewhere in Stamford Bridge, their manager was puffing out his cheeks. CHELSEA (3-4-3): Courtois 6; Cahill 6.5, Christensen 6.5, Rudiger 7; Zappacosta 6.5 (Moses 75min, 6), Kante 7, Fabregas 8, Alonso 7.5; Willian 7 (Drinkwater 81),