The Blues just managed to secure all three points against a below-par Swansea side with a lacklustre performance at Stamford Bridge, with Antonio Rudiger scoring the solitary goal of the game.
Since they were playing against a side who are in the bottom three, Conte used to opportunity to rest a few players like Cesar Azpilicueta, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Eden Hazard. But, as has been the norm this season, they struggled against a side fighting to maintain Premier League status.
Conte’s men just didn’t seem to exploit Swansea like they should have, perhaps due to the fatigue of playing a game every three days or just sheer underestimation of their opponents.
Antonio Rudiger opened the scoring for the Blues in the 55th minute, and proved to be enough for Chelsea to hold on their third placed spot on the table for another few days.
Very glad I could help the team to get the 3 points ???? #Hustle #AlwaysBelieve #CFC @ChelseaFC @PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/4A1HqfRgIv
— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) November 29, 2017
From a corner, N’Golo Kanté shoots from outside of the box and Bony’s deflected header is nodded in from close range by Rüdiger. Great reaction, that! 1-0. #CFC pic.twitter.com/fMadp2klRJ
— Chelsea GIFs (@ChelseaGIFs) November 29, 2017
Rüdiger has been our biggest threat going forward tonight.
— Conteholic (@Conteholic) November 29, 2017
Striker’s instinct from Rudiger, a position he knows very well from his youth days.
— Chelsea HQ ? (@Chelsea_HQ) November 29, 2017
Ruediger for President
— Major A. (@king_adze) November 29, 2017
Thank you RUDIGER!!! ???
— Bruno Khanyile (@BrunoKhanyile) November 29, 2017
had Rudiger In my FPL Since the start of the season. Been giving me 0s for a while now, I finally sold him and not only did he start, he scored too.
— HazardSideChic (@ThatChelseaLady) November 29, 2017
#rudiger playing well tonight! @ChelseaFC @DFB_Team
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) November 29, 2017
There were calls from some fans to start the German on a more regular basis ahead of captain gary Cahill
Why you think put Cahill before Rudiger is actually better? Cahill is always doing silly things on the pitch, “no sabe ni lo que es un balón hulio“. But Rudiger is like god when he plays. @ChelseaFC please tell Conte to create an account on Twitter.
— Álvaro (@tetegusa) November 29, 2017
Cahill watching rudiger pic.twitter.com/AiKHAllCFk
— Jamal (@carefreejamal) November 29, 2017
Rüdiger definitely needs to be starting at Chelsea. It’s known his preferred side is right and Azpilicueta occupies it but as versatile as Azpi is, he could go to the left, with Cahill making way. Rüdiger when playing has looked solid and even pitched in with the goal as a bonus.
— ™ (@Tacticomotion_) November 29, 2017
I think Conte should rest Cahill for the Newcastle game and play Azpilicueta Christensen Rudiger in a back 3 against them.
— Morata Flair (@Pranav_CFC) November 30, 2017
Not thay Cahill has been bad but Rudiger-Christensen-Azpi needs to be our starting back 3
— VB (@Bluesesque) November 29, 2017
Rudiger is such a baller. Showing he is 100000x better than Cahill.
— Sam (@Zappacostology) November 29, 2017
Rudiger is a monster, quality on the ball for a centre back
— Athers (@athers1265) November 29, 2017
The only other highlight of Chelsea’s game was Antonio Conte getting sent off to the stand by the referee in the first half for questioning his decisions.
‘Look for a place in the stands, Mr Conte’. ?⚽ pic.twitter.com/1D39pXNHV4
— Mane™ (@ManeliteFC) November 29, 2017
Conte sent off for the first time in his Chelsea career over a corner. `#CHESWA #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) November 29, 2017
Conte confirms he apologised to both the referee and the fourth official after the game. #CHESWA
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 29, 2017
Awwwww. Where’s Conte to jump around. ???
— Cleopatra N Nketiah (@radjoa) November 29, 2017
The referee sent off Conte
Turned down our penalties
Gave free kicks against us
Chelsea still won… HAHA FA ??
— . (@OfficialCheIs) November 29, 2017
FT: Chelsea 1-0 Swansea. Rudiger. Conte rotated, and got the points. Then he was rotated himself: sent to the stands by Neil Swarbrick. Not a classic. But job done.
— Dan Levene (@danlevene) November 29, 2017
Worst ref in the league this bloke, everything wrong for both sides and sends Conte to the stand for questioning him, pathetic
— Ollie Glanvill (@OllieGlanvill) November 29, 2017
Antonio Conte had every right to be furious there, the officials are legitimately blind.
— Mod (@HazardChaos) November 29, 2017
Just like me, Conte has had enough. Not once this season the referees have done a good job. Not once.
— batsflip (@batsflip) November 29, 2017
Neil Swarbrick matching Renato Sanches for complete ineptness. Trying to add sparkle to his write-up by sending Conte to the stands. If the ref can’t correctly call corners what chance him giving the two straightforward pens? @bbcmotd
— Steve Palmer (@SteveP37) November 29, 2017
• Conte getting sent off
• Getting penalty appeals turned down
• Getting free kicks givin against usChelsea fans have got used to this… FA is a joke
— . (@OfficialCheIs) November 29, 2017