Swans hit back as Chelsea lose top spot

Swansea 1 Chelsea 1

Chelsea battled through hailstones only for a late Pablo Hernandez strike to deny them a fourth away victory of the season.

Victor Moses put them ahead just after half-time when he steered Gary Cahill’s header goalwards from an Eden Hazard corner.

But with two minutes remaining and icy rain sheeting down over the Liberty Stadium, Swansea’s record signing found space to curl an effort beyond Petr Cech from the edge of the box.

It meant Manchester United stayed top of the Premier League, having leapfrogged Chelsea with a win over Arsenal earlier in the day.

Chelsea were without playmaker Juan Mata and defender David Luiz after they picked up hamstring and ankle injuries respectively in Wednesday’s League Cup victory over United.

Branislav Ivanovic returned at centre-back with Fernando Torres up front following the pair’s suspensions in midweek, with Cesar Azpilicueta continuing at right-back.

Torres came close to scoring in the first half when his header was cleared off the line by Leon Britton.

Chelsea also had a fair shout for a penalty turned down when Hazard was bundled over by Ashley Williams.

Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Cole; Romeu (Ramires 46), Mikel; Moses (Sturridge 72), Oscar (Bertrand 79), Hazard, Torres
Subs not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Marin, Piazon

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