Swansea City came back twice from being a goal down to draw at Stamford Bridge against 10-men Chelsea FC as Thibaut Courtois was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity to Bafetimbi Gomis.
Chelsea FC’s title defence went off to a stuttering start as they twice surrendered their slender lead to Swansea City in a poor performance against the travelling Welsh side. Oscar put the Blues ahead in the 23rd minute, when his free-kick which was intended as a cross evaded everyone in the box and nestled into the bottom corner.
Swansea pulled one back only minutes later, when Andre Ayew equalized from close range. The debutant’s first effort was parried out by Courtois, but the Ghanaian international rifled home in second attempt. It all started with Gomis’s header, which Courtois blocked only to fall in the path of Ayew, the 25-year-old’s first attempt was saved but his second found the back of the net.
Thibaut Courtois sent off for denying Bafetimbi Gomis a clear goal-scoring opportunity
It did not take Chelsea FC long to respond as they went ahead only seconds later, when Willian’s attempted cross took an odd deflection off Federico Fernandez and looped past a helpless Lukasz Fabianksi. The real drama, however, was reserved for the second-half, when Jonjo Shelvey sent a through ball over the Blues defence to the on-rushing Bafetimbi Gomis.
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The Frenchman tried to evade Courtois, but the Belgian stuck in a leg on the line of the penalty box, denying Gomis the chance to score. Courtois was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity and Swansea were awarded a penalty, although the red card did seem a little harsh. Gomis converted from the spot past substitute keeper Asmir Begovic as the Swans equalized. Gomis scored again a couple of minutes later, but it was ruled out for offside.
Chelsea FC fans took to Twitter to vent their frustration following a lacklustre display from the team, especially Cesc Fabregas, who has been largely anonymous for the Blues since the turn of the year. Rivals fans also celebrated the sending off and rubbed it in the wounds of the Chelsea fans.
Here are some of the best tweets from fans:
Horrible performance, that fabregas needs a talking to, ain’t played since January #cfc
a Darren McLoughlin (@Deemcl90) August 8, 2015
Cesc’s game made me check the calendar to see if we’re somehow in January already. a Diana Kristinne (@DianaKristinne) August 8, 2015
If ordinary citizens were caught in possession as many times as Cesc F bregas, they’d spend the rest of their lives behind bars. #CHESWA
a Sameer Riyaz (@SameerRiyaz13) August 8, 2015
The real Cesc is locked in the basement in Catalonia somewhere…He’s been replaced by this chubby hairy fraud. a Wizardof z (@DekaDMichael11) August 8, 2015
When you realise Courtois is your #FPL goalkeeper pic.twitter.com/FubsLioIOS a TheSPORTbible (@TSBible) August 8, 2015
Mouinhio’s interview will be; “Wenger. Refs. Campaign. Wenger. Minute 52. Wenger. Mike Riley. Wenger. Wenger. Courtois. Wenger.
a Tom Gordon (@GoonerGordo) August 8, 2015
#CFC sell Cech to Arsenal, Courtois starts playing like Szczesny, and is now banned for City. Campaign against Mourinho reaches a new low. a Brooks Peck (@BrooksDT) August 8, 2015
Commentator: “Cahill on the ball, finds Hazard”. I’m glad someone did.
a TikaTakaWilsh (@TikaTakaWilsh) August 8, 2015
Chelsea fans cannot fathom this substitution. ‘We can play two strikers? At the same time?’ a FG (@FunnyGooner) August 8, 2015
Falcao comes on. Chelsea down to nine men.
a NowSlimmerThanBefore (@sidin) August 8, 2015
Hazard and Sanchez have had the same impact on this game a Renato (@th14Renato) August 8, 2015
Michael Oliver sending off di Maria at Old Trafford and Courtois at The Bridge. Hero.
a FKA? (@fkhanage) August 8, 2015
Miss me Chelsea? pic.twitter.com/ArvBZZapJm a Troll Football (@Troll__Football) August 8, 2015
Courtois out – Petr Cech warming up Oh wait…
a Footy Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) August 8, 2015
They call Falcao “El Tigre” because he’ll be extinct soon a Tosi (@OzilAssist) August 8, 2015
Today Diego Costa looks like the age we all think he is a David Amoyal (@DavidAmoyal) August 8, 2015
