Chelsea have moved 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table after recording a 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Fernando Llorente cancelled out a Cesc Fabregas opener to leave the two teams level at the interval, but Pedro and Diego Costa struck in the second period to ensure that Chelsea returned to winning ways in the league.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte handed a rare starting role to experienced midfielder Fabregas, with the Spaniard, on his 300th Premier League appearance, chosen over Nemanja Matic alongside N'Golo Kante in central midfield. Pedro, meanwhile, was again given the nod over Willian on the right of the home side's attack.
As for Swansea, January signing Jordan Ayew remained on the bench for the Welsh side as head coach Paul Clement made just the one change from their 2-0 win over Leicester City last time out - Wayne Routledge coming in for Nathan Dyer, who will miss the remainder of the season with an Achilles problem.
Chelsea's first half-chance of the match arrived in the second minute when Fabregas found Pedro just outside the Swansea box, but the Spaniard's curling effort was always high of Lukasz Fabianski's crossbar as the home side looked for a fast start.
Fabregas was next to come close for Chelsea in the 14th minute after Eden Hazard found the Spaniard inside the Swansea box, but Federico Fernandez, who had failed to make a connection on an earlier corner from Gylfi Sigurdsson, was on hand to make the block.
Fabregas was not to be denied, however, and sent the home side ahead in the 19th minute when he collected a low cross from Pedro before bundling the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
Swansea almost scored an embarrassing own-goal minutes later after Kyle Naughton overhit a backpass towards Fabianski, but the away side's goalkeeper managed to scramble back and spare his teammate's blushes. In the 28th minute, Fabianski was again called into action to make a terrific save from a close-range Fabregas volley during a period where Chelsea were turning the screw.
Gary Cahill was next to come close for a dominant Chelsea team in the latter stages of the first period, but the Blues captain headed a Fabregas cross wide of the post as Swansea survived another dangerous moment.
It did appear that the home side would take a one-goal lead into the interval after just one minute of additional time was signalled at the end of the first period, but Swansea had other ideas and a wonderful Llorente header from a Sigurdsson free kick saw the Welsh outfit level in the 47th minute of action.
Hazard had a super chance to send Chelsea back ahead in the early stages of the second period, but the Belgian international's low strike brought a smart save from Fabianski, who palmed the ball away from the penalty area.
Moments later, Hazard set up Fabregas as the home side, who were very much on the front foot, had another shooting chance inside the Swansea box, but the midfielder's effort rattled the top of the crossbar.
Swansea managed to enjoy a period of possession approaching the hour, however, and were threatening a second of their own as Sigurdsson continued to look for the dangerous Llorente inside the Chelsea penalty area.
The visitors had a clear shout for a penalty in the 68th minute when Cesar Azpilicueta appeared to handle the ball inside the Chelsea box following a clever piece of skill from Sigurdsson, but the referee was not interested.
Less than five minutes after Swansea had a clear spot kick turned down, Chelsea regained the lead as Pedro found space outside the box before squeezing a low effort under Fabianski, who really should have made the save.
Ayew and Luciano Narsingh were introduced for the visitors late on as Clement looked for his team to strike back once again, while Matic was thrown on for Chelsea, who started to drop deep in a bid to keep hold of their lead.
Swansea were always vulnerable on the counter-attack, however, and the home side made sure of all the points in the 84th minute when Costa volleyed a Hazard cross past Fabianski from close range.
Next up for Chelsea is a trip to West Ham United in the league on March 6, while Swansea will attempt to return to winning ways when they host Burnley on March 4.
Matt Law
