Gylfi Sigurdsson handed Chelsea their first Premier League defeat under interim manager Guus Hiddink as Swansea beat the Blues 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday. Iceland midfielder Sigurdsson struck in the 25th minute to earn Swansea a victory that should ensure they avoid relegation, while Chelsea were left pointless for the first time since a 2-1 loss at Leicester on December 14 signalled the end of the Jose Mourinho era.
Swansea might not be mathematically safe, but after a mid-season wobble, they are odds on to retain their top-flight status after a strong run under head coach Francesco Guidolin.
For Hiddink's men, losing for the first time in the Dutchman's second spell as caretaker boss left them marooned in mid-table obscurity at the end of a week in which the troubled club confirmed Italy coach Antonio Conte will take over as manager after Euro 2016.
Swansea's Jefferson Montero cause problems on the left right from the start and it took a last gasp tackle from Branislav Ivanovic to prevent the Ecuadorian from leaving an early mark. Chelsea did enjoy one or two moments of promise but Swansea were equal to that with captain Ashley Williams a tower of strength at the heart of the back four. At the other end, Swansea had two genuine chances to break the deadlock. First, Sigurdsson was denied by the leaping Asmir Begovic and seconds later Angel Rangel's cross-shot fizzed wide of the far post. Montero whipped in a cross that was too high for Alberto Paloschi and Ayew and moments later, Ayew was denied by another Ivanovic tackle.
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