Ba nets winner for Chelsea at Swansea

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Swansea City 0 Chelsea 1

Demba Ba was Chelsea’s hero again as his goal midway through the second half gave them a potentially crucial win as they chase the title.

Ten-man Swansea, who had Chico Flores sent off, defended resolutely and rode their luck before a mistake by keeper Michel Vorm handed Chelsea the lead.

Ba collected Nemanja Matic’s pass and turned away from Ashley Williams before trying his luck with a low shot that Vorm allowed to squirm past him and into the net.

Striker Ba has struggled to make an impact since his £7m move from Newcastle last year but has scored two vital goals this week, having netted a Champions League winner against Paris St-Germain.

The victory, which kept second-placed Chelsea within two points of leaders Liverpool, looked likely once Flores was dismissed for a second bookable offence following a 15th-minute challenge on Andre Schurrle.

Jose Mourinho’s side nevertheless struggled to create chances in the first half, although Mo Salah missed a great opportunity when he contrived to shoot wide after being teed up by Branislav Ivanovic.

At the other end, Petr Cech produced a one-handed save to keep out a powerful header from Swansea forward Wilifried Bony.

Blues boss Mourinho made a double change at the break, switching to two up front by sending on Oscar and Samuel Eto’o in place of Schurrle and Ramires.

Both substitutes had chances early in the second half, but Oscar was unable to add the finish following Willian’s header and Eto’o wastefully dragged a shot wide from 10 yards out when he ought to have scored.

But Ba eventually broke the deadlock and went close to scoring again with a 20-yard strike after he had held off Jordi Amat.

Eto’o might have doubled the lead but was twice unable to hit the target after being found by Oscar.

Chelsea were comfortable, although Cech was called into action to deal with Jonjo Shelvey’s dangerous late cross.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1) : Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires (Eto’o 45), Matic; Salah, Willian, Schurrle (Oscar 45); Ba (Mikel 78).
Subs not used: Cole, Luiz, Torres, Schwarzer.

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