Table-topping Chelsea return to Premier League action at Stamford Bridge this weekend with an enticing match against second-place Swansea City. Both sides boast 100 percent records after three games. While high-flying Swans manager Garry Monk masterminded an impressive opening day victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, he will be under no illusion about Jose Mourinhos Blues, who represent an altogether different proposition. Having cruised to victory against newly promoted sides Burnley and Leicester City, Chelsea were expected to find Everton somewhat more steadfast. In a game that left both Mourinho and Toffees manager Roberto Martinez lamenting defensive errors, the Blues raced to a 2-0 lead inside three minutes and went on to win 6-3. The scoreline was as remarkable as the recuperative powers of new striker Diego Costa, who scored twice in a man-of-the-match performance. The buildup to the game was all about the hamstring injury Costa sustained in training, which was likely to keep him on the sideline for up to six weeks, and the fact that Mourinhos options to lead the line, with Romelu Lukaku sold to Everton and Fernando Torres loaned to AC Milan, were limited to re-signed (and 36-year-old) Blues legend Didier Drogba. Costa lasted the whole game, but Mourinho was swift to make one last acquisition before the transfer window slammed shut, signing France international Loic Remy from QPR for 10.5 million pounds. By strange coincidence, the two strikers were on opposing sides less than a week later when France faced Spain in a friendly. Remy entered the fray as a 59th-minute substitute while Costa, who started the game, was withdrawn in the 67th minute with a tight hamstring. Five minutes later, Remy volleyed home what turned out to be the winner. It was a fantastic goal that had Blues supporters purring about his ability to find the net and, most probably, Mourinho sighing with relief given the concern over Costas fitness. Elsewhere, with the exception of Eden Hazard -- who is a slight doubt with an Achilles problem that saw him miss Belgiums match with Australia -- Mourinho has a fully fit squad to choose from. Notwithstanding his comments about defensive fragility, and with one eye on Wednesdays Champions League game with Schalke 04, the Chelsea manager is unlikely to tinker too much with the lineup that plundered six goals at Goodison Park. Oscar could earn a recall at the expense of Ramires, meaning Cesc Fabregas would drop back into the double-pivot partnering Nemanja Matic. However, Fabregas has excelled in a more attacking role, and Mourinho may wait for the Schalke game to make this change. Similarly, Andre Schurrle might be given the nod ahead of Willian on the right flank, but he may also find himself among the substitutes as Mourinho plans ahead. One expensive summer signing still awaiting his full Chelsea debut is 15.8 million pound left-back Filipe Luis. His inclusion in the side would create a unnecessary selection headache for Mourinho, which the Blues boss could do without, so the former Atletico Madrid player can expect to find himself warming the bench a while longer. Chelsea will start the match as the odds-on favourite, and the defensive errors at Everton may work in their favour as Mourinho tightens up his back four. Swansea will come into the game having nothing to fear, but this could be their undoing as throwing caution to the wind at Stamford Bridge is ill-advised at the best of times. Expect the Swans to give another good account of themselves, but it will be the Blues whose 100 percent record is still intact when referee Kevin Friend blows the final whistle.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 20:53:20 +0000