Demba Ba's well-timed shot earned Chelsea the points and kept their bid to win the Premier League title afloat. Swansea saw red in the opening 15 minutes and are still in the relegation mire.
Following Liverpool's dramatic 3-2 win over Manchester City, Chelsea could ill-afford a slip up against the relegation-threatened Welsh side. Mourinho chose a strong side for the game, but rested Oscar and included Salah, with Willian in the no. 10 role. Ba started following his midweek heroics. Garry Monk named an unchanged team to the one that triumphed over fellow strugglers Norwich.
The game started brightly for the Jacks with Bony and Dyer forcing saves from Cech. But the Blues were given a lasting upper hand as Chico Flores was sent off for two book able offences, and few could complain. Chelsea, despite the numerical advantage, were lethargic, the only chances of note falling to Salah, who sidefooted against the post and blazed over in the 5th and the 45th minute.
Mourinho brought on Oscar and Eto'o for the sub-par Ramires and Schürrle, and they forced more openings from a Swansea defence that were resolute throughout. Ba saw a flicked header whistle just wide, and Eto'o snatched at a chance when the ball dropped kindly to him, but the resistance eventually broke.
Matic played a great though ball to Ba, who gave Williams the runaround and smashed home under the body of Vorm, the keeper knowing that he should have done better. Chelsea kept possession for the rest of the game and squeezed the life out of their opponents, despite Cech being forced into a late save from a Shelvey cross. It finished 0-1, much to delight of the Londoners, and their title assault rolls on.
My MoTM was the invigorated Ba, a handful for the whole game, and the way he took his goal was superb. Other mentions should go to Willian. Matic and the effervescent Salah. A comfortable day, then, the Chelsea, who'll now be targeting their season-deciding game at Anfield.
By @Joseph Holmes-Milner