Heading into today’s game at Stamford Bridge, neither team had dropped points thus far in Premier League play. Following the international break and transfer window both teams were looking to stretch their “legs” and earn their place at top of the League table. Despite an early start from Swansea, Chelsea emerged with the coveted 3 points putting them ahead in goals and points.

Chelsea:

Thibaut Courtois: 5

The big Belgian keeper made a couple of handy saves including one on Bafetimbi Gomis late in the second half, which could have made things a lot more interesting in the quarter of an hour. Courtois did really well to come out and stop a couple fo crosses in the second half, as well. He was left for dead on John Terry’s early own goal.

Branislav Ivanovic: 7

Sound defensively and a force going forward, it was a classic performance from the Serbian full back. With a few short passes and a cross, he created five chances for his team to contribute to an attacking mentality that crippled Swansea. He was also four of four in aerial duels and two of two in his tackles.

John Terry: 6

A great ball from Neil Taylor put Terry in an awkward position, which led to the own goal, but otherwise the Chelsea center back was solid. He did not have much to do after Swansea drew first blood. He won the ball back for the Blues close to half a couple of times to thwart the Welsh side’s attempts to get forward.

Gary Cahill: 5

While he has developed an strong center back partnership with Terry, he struggled to protect the goal today. Cahill was evaded by Swansea’s attackers a couple of times and was nowhere to be found when Jonjo Shelvey split the Blues’ back line halve the home team’s advantage.

Cesar Azpilicueta: 6

The Spaniard is very difficult to get by one-on-one. While he was beaten once, made up for it by stopping Gomis from going forward on the counter down the flank. He contributed in attack as well to create a pair of chances.

Nemanja Matic: 6

Matic did not have much to do outside of the first quarter of an hour or so when it came to defensive work, and it was his ability to dictate the pace of match that was impressive. He completed 90% of his passes and kept the Chelsea attack going when it needed to a bit of a reset, especially as his team saw more of the ball as match went on.

Cesc Fabregas: 8

One of the smartest players in the Premier league, and the world for that matter, he was able to thread a corner kick to Diego Costa and a nice cutback to his compatriot. Fabregas created four additional chances as the heart of Chelsea’s attack.

Andre Schurrle: 5

It was a disappointing first half form the German, who was replaced by Ramires. Schurrle could not find any seems to move between Swansea’s well-organized defense in the opening period. Schurrle did his defensive work, but was not good enough going forward.

Oscar: 6

The often-criticized Brazilian was able to slot a couple of dangerous balls into the area and did well to connect the creative pieces of Chelsea’s attack.

Eden Hazard: 8

When Hazard got on the ball he was either fouled around the box or able to create meaningful drives. He drew a couple of free kicks with some driving runs, was fouled by Shelvey in the 32nd, for the second one, made a lot of drives into the box and that’s where he’s at his best. He took on ten defenders 10 times in the match, and left them looking silly nine times. He was also fouled four times and crated four chances.

Diego Costa: 10

He scored three goals by finding space inside the area to continue his strong run of form.

SUBS:

Ramires: 6

After coming on for Schurrle at halftime, the Brazilian was involved going forward. His blocked shot led to Costa’s third of the match.

Loic Remy: 7

While he may not have been fit enough to play for Liverpool, he was in good enough shape to score on his debut for Chelsea. The Frenchman’s movement was lively too, as he worked the flanks and the middle of the pitch.

Mohamed Salah: N/A

Swansea:

Lukasz Fabianski: 7

Although he was beat four times, he made a smart stop late in the first half to prevent Oscar’s would-be goal. The Swansea keeper was also aggressive in cutting out dangerous balls that came into the area, in addition to the five saves he made.

Neil Taylor: 6

While he did have an assist, he was part of back line that was hazed by Costa, Hazard, and Fabregas. He also sent in a lot of early balls into the box to give Gomis some opportunities.

Ashley Williams and Federico Fernandez: 4

Both were able to chalk up clearances to their names, but they could not track Costa. While keeping tabs on the poacher, and thwarting the supply chain to him is a small task, the trio

Amat: 5

He picked up a yellow card for a poor bit of defending outside of his box , as he fouled Hazard on the edge of the 18, before he was removed at the break.

Charlie Rangel: 7

Rangel was a bright spot for the Swans as he was able to break up Chelsea’s attack down his flank with a few tackles.

Ki Sung-Yueng: 6

His drive through the middle of the pitch saw him slide through Neil Taylor to create Swansea’s opener. He completed all but two of his 48 passes though in his midfield partnership with Jonjo Shelvey.

Jonjo Shelvey: 7

Shelvey did well to finish the late opportunity he had and he was tireless defesnivley as well. The former Liverpool man got two interceptions, in addition to his two tackles, though he failed to create much going forward.

Wayne Routledge: 6

He failed to have a real impact on the match when Swansea needed him most, but he did a lot of defensive work, tracking back into his own area to win the ball back for his side.

Gylfi Sigurdsson: 5

Swansea’s chief creator in its opening Premier League matches created three chances for teammates, but struggled to penetrate the Chelsea backline with deadly through balls.

Nathan Dyer: 5

Usually at his best when taking players on and bursting down his flank, Dyer could not get on the ball, as the Blues saw more and more of it as the match went on.

Bafetimbi Gomis: 6

The target man dribbled Chelsea defenders multiple times and will consider himself unlucky not to have scored, as his chip in the 65th minute was stopped by Courtois.

Jefferson Montero: 5

The winger came on as a substitute and outside of a late break down the left side to beat Ivanovic to bi-line to search for Wilfried Bony in the box, though he did not offer much else to Swansea’s breaks.

Wilfried Bony: N/A