FABREGAS IS LEADING THE CHELSEA CHARGE FOR TOP-FOUR PLACE

CESC FABREGAS scored his 50th Premier League goal to help Chelsea close to within two points of a top-four place and leave Swansea just a point clear of the relegation places.

Fabregas struck in the fourth minute — which was his 15th goal for Chelsea after scoring 35 for former club Arsenal.

The Spaniard said: ‘We know every game is a final for us. We have an opportunity to finish in the top four.

‘We have to show our pride and that we really want to make it happen.’

Chelsea host thirdplaced Liverpool next weekend, when the pressure could really be applied on Jurgen Klopp’s side, who are six points ahead of the Blues.

The Swansea defence was exposed in the early stages as Eden Hazard found Fabregas unmarked in the penalty area and the Spaniard curled a delicious shot past Lukasz Fabianski.

With Hazard running the show, Chelsea were in command and Victor Moses saw his goalbound effort blocked by Alfie Mawson before Olivier Giroud failed to divert a header goalwards.

Swansea’s anxiety was reflected by Mawson skimming the top of his own crossbar after the ball had ballooned into the air and Giroud had won the header.

Moses joined Andre Ayew in the referee Jonathan Moss’s book for scything down Martin Olsson and Swansea mustered their first attempt when Ki Sung-yueng sent the resulting free-kick into Thibaut Courtois’ midriff.

Swansea found it difficult to create any clear-cut chances against a defence marshalled by Gary Cahill, and protected brilliantly by N’Golo Kante.

However the hosts went close when Jordan Ayew headed over as Chelsea struggled to clear a corner and his brother Andre curled just wide as the hosts began to press in the final quarter.

Chelsea continued to drop deeper in the final minutes, but Swansea’s hopes of a point evaporated when Tom Carroll fired wide and Courtois thwarted Wayne Routledge.