Swansea boss Paul Clement said Chelsea are on the way to becoming a formidable side and deserved their 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge but felt the result could so easily have been different had the Swans been awarded a “clear” penalty.
The ball struck the arm of Cesar Azpilicueta when the Spanish defender tangled with Gylfi Sigurdsson in the penalty box with the score at 1-1.
But referee Neil Swarbrick deemed the handball to be accidental.
Pedro scored within five minutes to put the Blues ahead and Diego Costa’s volley sealed a win which took the hosts 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Former Chelsea assistant boss Clement said: “I thought it was a penalty at the time. Having seen it again it is clear it hits Azpilicueta’s arm. It is a penalty.
“Chelsea could have scored more and probably deserved the win but at 1-1 it was game on. Based on chances they deserved to win, but that was a big moment that didn’t go our way, and who knows what might have happened?
“We defended resolutely but the second goal was a soft one.
“The third goal was quality. They have fantastic players in Kante, Hazard and Costa. They are a young side and are in good form but in three or four years they could be formidable.”