Chelsea headed into Saturday's encounter at Swansea City knowing that a win would see them return to the top of the table following Manchester United's win over Arsenal earlier in the day.
It was all going to plan for the Blues as Victor Moses headed in on the hour to put them in front.
However, Pablo Hernandez struck home a fine equaliser in the final five minutes to earn Swansea a deserved share of the spoils.
Read how it all unfolded in our minute-by-minute report below.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of Chelsea's trip to Swansea City in the Premier League.
Both of these sides come into the match on the back of remarkable games in the Capital One Cup in midweek as Chelsea saw off Manchester United 5-3, while Swansea earned an impressive /football3-1 triumph at holders Liverpool.
Swansea were able to finish their match in normal time, but it took the Blues an additional 30 minutes of extra time to see of United. Will that affect Roberto Di Matteo's side?
The visitors saw their unbeaten record in the Premier League ended last Sunday when they were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United in an incident-filled match at Stamford Bridge. They were looking imperious before that as seven wins and a draw helped them to the top of the table. They still sit at the summit, but things aren't quite as comfortable for them now - they only lead by a point.
It hasn't all been smooth sailing for Swansea under new manager Michael Laudrup, but they were fully deserving of their win at Anfield in midweek thanks to some sumptuous, flowing football.
We've got the Chelsea team news in...
Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole; Oscar, Romei, Mikel, Moses; Hazard; Torres
Subs: Turnbull, Ramires, Ferreira, Sturridge, Marin, Bertrand, Piazon
Subs: Turnbull, Ramires, Ferreira, Sturridge, Marin, Bertrand, Piazon
The first thing that jumps out of that teamsheet are the absences of David Luiz and Juan Mata. Manager Roberto Di Matteo must feel that they were worthy of a rest following Wednesday night's exploits.
Still, there's a wealth of quality throughout that side in the form of Oscar, Hazard and Torres. Okay, maybe not Torres, but still...
That last comment was a joke, in case you were wondering. The Spaniard may be a long way from his Liverpool best but he's still capable of finding the net against any side.
Swansea: Tremmel; Rangel, Monk, Williams, Davies; Britton, Ki, De Guzman, Routledge, Hernandez; Michu
The home side make just the one change for today's match as Garry Monk comes in for the injured Chico Flores.
Today's early kickoff at Old Trafford has just ended and Manchester United have temporarily moved above Chelsea at the top of the table thanks to a 2-1 win over Arsenal.
You can read out match report here courtesy of the tireless Matt Law.
What might that result do for Chelsea's mindset? Will they now be feeling more pressure than before knowing that only a win would send them back to the top of the standings?
We've a little over 10 minutes to kickoff here at the Liberty Stadium...
A quick stat blast at you now: these sides have met 21 times down the years, with Chelsea winning nine of those encounters. Swansea have emerged victorious five times and there have been seven draws.
Swansea earned a point in this fixture last season with a 1-1 draw, but they were soundly beaten 4-1 at Stamford Bridge earlier in the campaign.
Anyway, time for me to make a misguided prediction. I'm hoping for some excellent football to be played this afternoon between two teams who are very pleasing on the eye. However, Chelsea have that extra little bit of quality and tat should see them over the finish line by the odd goal.
Here come the teams!
Here we go then, it'll be Chelsea to get us underway...
Chelsea seeing plenty of the ball in these opening couple of minutes.
CHANCE! Close for Swansea there as Rangel gets in behind the Chelsea defence but his cutback for Michu is cleared. Could the defender have had a pop at goal himself? I think that he could, you know.
Free kick in a promising position for Chelsea now as Oscar is fouled by Britton.
Ivanovic looks like he's ready to have a crack at goal but Oscar instead sees his curled effort blocked.
Swansea have a couple of corners in quick succession but the Chelsea defence deals with both of them.
It's been a good opening 10 minutes here at the Liberty Stadium, with both sides showing plenty of attacking intent.
CHANCE! Hazard whips in a corner which is met by the head of Torres. The ball flies across the face of the goal, but Ivanovic can't apply the finishing touch.
Just watching the replays of that corner again and it's Britton who's on the line to clear. Close call for the hosts.
Good work from Routledge on the right earns his side another corner.
De Guzman's corner comes to nothing but Swansea keep up the pressure. Routledge is almost in round the back of the Chelsea defence, but the Blues eventually get the ball away.
Hazard has a speculative attempt at goal that flies high and wide.
Nothing of note to report on in the last few minutes - Chelsea seem eager to take the sting out of the match and slow the pace down.
Swansea think they're in there, but Michu is flagged offside from Davies' through ball.
It's another corner for the hosts...
There's plenty of pushing and shoving going on in the box and Williams is penalised for grappling with Ivanovic.
The home fans are appealing for a penalty as they think that Cole has handled the ball when being taken on by Hernandez. However, referee Kevin Friend is right not to award the spot kick - the ball his the defender's thigh.
Chelsea threaten to break but Monk gives away the free kick by barging Hazard off the ball. Looked a little harsh that one.
Hazard lofts a teasing ball into the area which is cleared before Cahill hauls down De Guzman to concede the free kick.
It's an effort on goal for the home side as Michu pokes the ball tentatively at Cech having intercepted Ivanovic's pass.
Ten minutes plus added time to play in this opening half.
BOOKING: Swansea's Leon Britton is the first player of the afternoon to go into the book for his trip on Hazard.
Hazard hits the resulting free kick into the box, but it evades everyone to go out for a goal kick.
BOOKING: Referee Kevin Friend did his best to keep the cards in his pocket, but he takes another name now as Azpilicueta fouls Davies.
Corner for Chelsea after Azpilicueta's cross is headed behind by Williams.
Hazard's delivery is poor and the ball is easily dealt with by the Swans defence.
Chelsea starting to crank up the pressure now as they win another corner.
Again it's an atrocious delivery from Hazard. The ball comes out to Oscar but his cross is just as woeful and Swansea get rid.
There'll be a minimum of one added minute here at the Liberty Stadium...
HALF TIME: Swansea 0-0 Chelsea
There's the half-time whistle. It's been a decent first half here in Wales with both sides carving out some good chances. However, it's the visitors who have looked more likely to score.
Four other matches are being played in the Premier League today. Half-time scores coming up...
PREMIER LEAGUE HALF-TIME SCORES:
Fulham 1-0 Everton
Norwich 0-0 Stoke
Sunderland 0-0 Aston Villa
Spurs 0-0 Wigan
As you can see, goals are at something of a premium this afternoon...
BUT! There were goals in today's early kickoff at Old Trafford as Manchester United defeated Arsenal 2-1 to move to the top of the table.
Right, I'm going to take this opportunity to talk shop with you and ask very kindly if you have the time to fill out our questionnaire. We're looking for ways to improve the site for you and other readers and we would be very appreciative of any feedback.
Swansea get us underway in the second half...
Chelsea have made a change at the break with Ramires on for Romeu.
CHANCE! Hazard does well to cut onto his right foot on the edge of the box, but Tremmel gets down well to save. That one might have been creeping into the corner.
Moses is the latest to have a go as his header from Torres' cross floats harmlessly over the bar.
Michu was almost in there, but Routledge's through ball was slightly overhit.
Michael Laudrup is looking pensive on the Swansea bench but he has no need to be: his side are giving as good as they're getting here.
Good goalkeeping there from Cech as he comes off his line quickly to gather the ball with Michu in pursuit.
GOAL! Swansea 0-1 Chelsea (Moses)
Chelsea lead and it's Victor Moses who got the last touch! Cahill's header from a corner is goalbound, but the winger flicks the ball in to give his side the lead.
Swansea try to hit back through De Guzman, but his free kick flies over the bar.
De Guzman's in the thick of it again - only to slice his shot out for a throw in...
The home side have responded positively here. They haven't let their heads drop and are in search of an equaliser.
There's 20 minutes left to play here at the Liberty Stadium. Can Chelsea hold on to go back to the top of the table?
CHANCE! De Guzman tries his luck from the edge of the area, only to see his curled effort gathered by Cech.
SUBSTITUTION: Chelsea make their second change of the match as the goalscorer Victor Moses is replaced by Daniel Sturridge.
The rain has started to come down at the Liberty Stadium. Perfect autumnal football conditions.
SUBSTITUTION: Swansea bring on Shechter for Michu, while Bertrand replaces Oscar for Chelsea.
Those perfect footballing conditions I was talking about have just got worse. It's absolutely hammering it down now.
Eight minutes left here! Can Chelsea hold on?
Swansea have an opportunity to cause Chelsea problems, but Williams is flagged offside from De Guzman's free kick. A wasted chance there for the hosts.
GOAL! Swansea 1-1 Chelsea (Hernandez)
WHAT AN EQUALISER! The ball falls to Hernandez on the egde of the Chelsea box and he curls a delightful low finish past Cech into the corner. What a sweet strike that was!
We'll have four minutes of added time here...
The ball is bobbling around in the Swansea box before the hosts clear. Somewhat of a frantic finish to this one.
One last chance for Chelsea now as they have a free kick that they can pump into the box.
It's cleared though!
FULL TIME: Swansea 1-1 Chelsea
And there's the full-time whistle! Pablo Hernandez's late goal earns Swansea a deserved point against Chelsea, who fail to regain top spot in the table.
Anyway, that's all from me for today. It's been a pleasure having your company this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon here on Sports Mole.
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
