Premier League:

Swansea City 2–2 Chelsea

A late strike from Diego Costa ensured Chelsea took a share of the spoils from their clash with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium this afternoon.

However, that doesn't begin to tell the story of a frantic game, that saw the visitors lead at the break thanks to Costa's neat finish, before a dramatic second half fightback from the hosts saw Gylfi Sigurdsson equalise from the penalty spot before Leroy Fer pounced on a Gary Cahill mistake to put them ahead.

But nine minutes from time, Costa's acrobatic effort cannoned in off the head of Federico Fernandez, but even then both sides missed late chances to win it.

Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin opted for a surprise change of tactics with a 5-4-1 formation, but if his plan was to contain Antonio Conte’s men in the early stages, it didn’t work as Willian’s fierce drive was parried behind by home keeper Lukasz Fabianski.

Branislav Ivanovic also headed tamely off target from a Willian free kick, while Swansea’s first hint of a threat came when a Sigurdsson free kick flashed across the face of goal.

Then 18 minutes in, the visitors led as a poor headed clearance from Fernandez fell to Oscar, who squared for Costa to sidefoot into the bottom corner from 15 yards out.

And just three minutes later it should have been two, as a rejuvenated Eden Hazard ghosted through the Swansea defence only to see his shot bounce off Fabianski and over the bar.

Chelsea left back Cesar Azpilacueta then had his angled effort pushed behind by the Polish keeper – before on 41 minutes, came Swansea’s first significant effort as Fernando Llorente, largely isolated in the opening 45 minutes, teed up Sigurdsson, whose long range shot curled just wide.

Moments later, Guidolin hauled off Neil Taylor for Modou Barrow, seemingly acknowledging his new system had not gone to plan.

Predictably, Costa was involved in several first half flashpoints, with him and Fer receiving yellow cards for late tackles on each other while Fernandez was also booked after knocking over the Spaniard.

But two minutes before the break, it was Costa who missed a glorious chance as he met Willian’s corner at the back post – only to somehow sidefoot his effort back across goal when it seemed easier to score.

Chelsea also began the second half on the front foot as Willian cut in from the right, and saw his left foot effort narrowly evade both Hazard and the back post.

Jordi Amat became the third Swansea player to be booked for fouling Costa, before the latter just failed to meet Hazard's low cross after Nemanja Matic had dispossessed Jack Cork.

But 14 minutes into the second half The Swans, who had barely threatened Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal, struck back when Barrow's ball over from the left was chased down by Sigurdsson - and the Icelander was taken out by the onrushing keeper.

Referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot, and Courtois, having been sent off on the opening day of last season against Swansea, would have been relieved this time to only see yellow.

Sigurdsson buried the spot kick straight down the middle - and just three minutes later, Swansea dramatically led when Fer robbed a hesitant Cahill and went clean through, and his low shot trickled over the line after being partially blocked by Courtois.

Replays late showed that Fer may have been forntunate not to be penalised as he challenged the defender.

Regardless, Conte's men tried to up the ante and Costa went down just outside the area after clashing with Fabianski but nothing was given - before the keeper was at his best to superbly tip Oscar's curling effort around the post.

The same player then headed wastefully over from a Cesc Fabregas cross, but in the 81st minute, Chelsea struck when Ivanovic's close range shot cannoned into the air via a deflection - and Costa acrobatically finished via the head of Fernandez.

That set up a frenzied finish at both ends, as Costa was denied his hat trick when his powerful shot was blocked at the near post by the busy Fabianski.

Fer was then just unable to get a shot away under pressure from Cahill, before Barrow was fouled by Hazard when trying to race clear from a Fer pass, with the Belgian rightfully booked.

John Terry was also booked as the intensity continued to the end, before referee Marriner signalled the end of a contest which would have left both with mixed emotions about the result.

In his post-match press conference, Swansea boss Guidolin said: "It was a very difficult game for us and Chelsea are a very strong team.

"We changed the shape and played with more aggression and intensity in the second half and we are happy with the result.

"It's an important point for us."

He also added that he and Taylor had cleared the air, after the left back had appeared angry at being taken off before half time.

Swansea City: Lukasz Fabianski, Kyle Naughton, Jordi Amat, Federico Fernandez, Stephen Kingsley, Neil Taylor (Modou Barrow 41), Ki Sung-Yueng, Gylfi Sigurdsson (Angel Rangel 88), Jack Cork (capt), Leroy Fer, Fernando Llorente.

Subs not used: Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Mike van der Hoorn, Leon Britton, Jefferson Montero, Jay Fulton.

Chelsea: Thibaut Courtois, Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry (capt), Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta, Willian (Victor Moses 77), N’Golo Kante, Oscar (Michy Batshuayi 88), Eden Hazard, Nemanja Matic (Cesc Fabregas 76), Diego Costa.

Subs not used: Asmir Begovic, Marcos Alonso, Pedro, David Luiz.

Referee: Andre Marriner.

Assistant referees: Adam Nunn and Andy Garratt.

Fourth official: Roger East.

Attendance: 20,865.