LIVE MATCH: GOAL!!! CHELSEA 1-1 SWANSEA CITY Diego Costa level the scores before half-time

Chelsea - Swansea City Preview: Blues sweat on Costa fitness

The Brazil-born Spaniard was substituted midway through the second half of a friendly defeat to France last week with a hamstring problem and is being assessed

Chelsea are SWEATING on the fitness of striker Diego Costa as they prepare to take on Swansea City in a top-of-the-table clash at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Costa was substituted midway through the second half of Spain's 1-0 friendly defeat to France with a hamstring problem and returned to the Blues' Cobham training centre earlier this week for further assessment.

On Friday Jose Mourinho is expected to provide an update on the condition of the Brazil-born Spaniard, who has lit up the Premier League since his summer arrival from Atletico Madrid with four goals in his first three matches.

If Costa misses out, Mourinho could hand a debut to Loic Remy, recruited from west London neighbours QPR in a £10.5 million deal in the final days of the transfer window. Thibaut Courtois is also expected keep his place in goal ahead of Petr Cech after signing a new five-year contract at Stamford Bridge this week.

But regardless who starts, Chelsea will be clear favourites to continue their 100 per cent start to the season against Swansea, who have also won each of their first three matches of the season.

"They are one of the powerhouses of the league," Swansea boss Garry Monk told reporters. "They have quality players over the pitch. When you analyse them, there are a lot more strengths than weaknesses.

"They can hurt you in many areas via different players. They'll be favourites for the title this season. But they'll be a good test for us.

"There's always a plan, every team in the world is beatable. We have to give our best performance in order to warrant winning any points.

"We have to go out there, be ourselves, be confident and hope it's good enough to get the points."

Swansea coasted to a 3-0 victory over West Brom prior to the international break and have kept three clean sheets in a row in all competitions, but have not beaten Chelsea in a league encounter since 1981.

The Welsh giants will be without midfielder Leon Britton due to a knee injury and it remains to be seen whether Marvin Emnes will return to the squad after a knee problem.

LIVE COMMENTARY

CommentaryMain events

• 45'

  Assist Cesc Fàbregas
• 
  45'

  Goal Diego Costa
  COSTA CAN'T STOP SCORING! The Spain international striker scores the equaliser on the stroke of half time as he uses his strength to hold off his marker before powering Fabregas' corner beyond Fabianski. That's a fine header from the former Atletico Madrid man who has now scored in four consecutive league matches.
• 44'

  It's just the final ball that is missing for Chelsea at the moment as they continue to enjoy plenty of possession around the Swansea box. Hazard is the one player who looks capable of unlocking this resilient Swans defence but half time is fast approaching.
• 42'

  Diego Costa has endured a frustrating first half and he becomes embroiled in an off-the-ball clash with Amat. The Swansea defender needs to cool down here as he has already picked up a yellow card in this game.
• 40'

  It's all Chelsea at the moment as they look to restore parity before the half-time whistle. However, Swansea are well-organised at the back and Fabianski shows his good handling to diffuse another dangerous attacking situation.
• 39'

  HAZARD FIRES WIDE! Chelsea are upping the tempo now and Fabregas combines excellently with Hazard to set up an opportunity down the left. The Belgian escapes the surveillance of Rangel with ease but his powerful drive across goal cannot find the bottom corner and rolls wide.
• 37'

  GOOD SAVE FROM FABIANSKI! Costa and Hazard combine neatly to set up Fabregas on the edge of the box. The Spaniard uses his vision to pick out Oscar on the left corner of the area and his curling effort, heading for the bottom corner, is well held by the Polish goalkeeper.
• 35'

  Swansea are looking a threat whenever they come forward and Dyer cuts in from the left before his shot is well blocked by Terry. Chelsea then attack straight down the other end, with Ivanovic getting forward down the right. However, his cross is headed over from close range by Oscar who didn't anticipate the Serbian's delivery reaching him near the penalty spot.
• 33'

  Shelvey is the second Swansea player in the book after a cynical trip on Hazard. The Belgian winger has been the one bright spark for Chelsea in attack so far, with Diego Costa being well marked by Williams and Amat. Schurrle steps up to take the resulting free kick but Fabianski gets across to tip it over the bar.
• 32'

  Yellow Card Jonjo Shelvey
• 31'

  Swansea are passing the ball around superbly here and you would not think that they are the away side in this game. Jose Mourinho looks bewildered on the Chelsea bench; his side are being outplayed by their opponents at the moment.
• 29'

  Swansea have defended excellently from set-pieces and they continue to thwart Chelsea from wide areas, with Fabianksi being offered plenty of protection from his defenders. Garry Monk will be delighted with his side's performance so far, they have been terrific.
• 27'

  Hazard is looking to make things happen for Chelsea and he wins a free kick on the edge of the box, which results in a yellow card for Amat. However, Fabregas' effort strikes the wall and Swansea scramble the ball to safety.
• 26'

  Yellow Card Jordi Amat
• 25'

  Hazard springs to life as he embarks on a trademark marauding run down the left. He floats a cross into the penalty area but Swansea have enough men back to clear the danger. That was better from Chelsea but they are yet to seriously test Fabianski in the Swansea goal.
• 23'

  Swansea break quickly downfield and they win a corner when Routledge's shot is deflected behind by Cahill. However, it comes to nothing as Sigurdsson's delivery is hacked clear at the front post.
• 22'

  STAT: Chelsea have won all three Premier League home matches against Swansea and are unbeaten in the last six league meetings home and away, winning four and drawing two. Swansea have scored just three goals in those six matches.
• 20'

  Terry looks to atone for his own goal as he tussles with Amat to meet Fabregas' free kick from the right. However, he cannot score the equaliser as his header goes narrowly over the crossbar.
• 18'

  Gomis is linking up excellently with the Swansea midfielders at the moment as Garry Monk's side continue to apply the pressure. Chelsea just cannot get hold of the ball at the moment.
• 16'

  Swansea are in complete control at the moment and Chelsea look shellshocked. Shelvey looks to double the visitors' advantage when he finds space on the edge of the box, but he is denied a route to goal by Terry's last-ditch challenge.
• 14'

  CHANCE FOR SWANSEA! Gomis is looking to impress in the absence of Bony and he goes close to scoring on his first league start for the club as he bursts beyond Cahill and Terry all too easily before firing a fierce shot just wide of Courtois' goal.
• 12'

  Chelsea look to respond immediately but Oscar drags his shot wide from the edge of the box. Can Jose Mourinho's side battle back?
• 
  11'

  Own Goal John Terry
  SWANSEA TAKE THE LEAD! It's a well-worked goal from the Swans as Ki splits open the Chelsea defence with an excellent pass out to the left for Taylor. This time the left-back gets his delivery right and his teasing low cross is turned into the Chelsea net by the unfortunate Terry. The fairytale continues for Garry Monk.
• 10'

  Swansea are enjoying a good spell of possession at the moment and Ki sees his shot from distance well blocked by Terry. You can sense the confidence running through this Swans side after their bright start to the season.
• 9'

  Shelvey attempts to poke a ball beyond the Chelsea defence for Routledge but Ivanovic reads the danger excellently and makes a crucial interception. Moments later, Swansea work the ball well out wide to Taylor but the left-back overhits his cross, much to the frustration of several red and black shirts who had made an effort to get into the box.
• 7'

  As you would expect, it is Chelsea who are applying the early pressure, with Fabregas looking to pull the strings in midfield. Ivanovic has been in superb form at the beginning of this season and he continues to bomb forward at will down the right-hand side.
• 5'

  Chelsea win the first corner of the game but Fabianski comes through a crowd of blue shirts to pluck Schurrle's delivery out of the air. The former Arsenal goalkeeper has settled in brilliantly at the Welsh side since moving earlier this summer.
• 4'

  SO CLOSE FOR SWANSEA! Dyer is full of confidence at the moment and he bursts down the right wing before delivering a cross into the box. Cahill heads it towards the edge of the penalty area where Routledge is lurking and the Swansea winger cushions a volley inches past the top corner. Nearly the perfect start for Garry Monk's side.
• 2'

  Hazard is showing no signs of his Achilles problem in the early exchanges here as he ghosts past several Swansea players before feeding Ivanovic out wide. The Serbian delivers a dangerous low cross into the box but Wiliams gets there ahead of Schurrle to make a crucial interception. Moments later, Costa unleashes a shot from the edge of the box but it is comfortably gathered by Fabianski. Good start from Chelsea.
• 1'

  After a minute's applause in memory of Lord Attenborough, the referee blows his whistle and Chelsea, in their traditional blue shirts, get the game underway. Who can maintain their perfect record to the new season? Let's find out...
• The two sides emerge from the tunnel to a good reception from both sets of fans. Captains John Terry and Ashley Williams lead the handshakes between the respective sides. Today's referee is Kevin Friend.
• When these two sides met in the league last season, Chelsea emerged victorious 1-0 on both occasions, with Eden Hazard netting at Stamford Bridge and Demba Ba scoring at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea have not beaten Chelsea in a league game since 1981, though they did win in west London in the Capital One Cup in January 2013, en route to their famous cup success.
• Garry Monk makes one change to the Swansea side that comfortably defeated West Brom 3-0 last time out as Wilfried Bony is replaced up front by Bafatembi Gomis after picking up an injury on international duty. Sigurdsson will be looking to continue his impressive form behind the striker while Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge will provide the pace out wide. Leon Britton faces a month on the sidelines through injury.
• Jose Mourinho makes two changes to the Chelsea side which emphatically beat Everton 6-3 before the international break. Ramires and Willian are the two players to drop out, with Oscar and Andre Schurrle coming into the team. Diego Costa has recovered from a hamstring injury to start up front while Eden Hazard has also shaken off a knock to continue on the left side of midfield.
• Swansea subs: Tremmel, Tiendalli, Fernandez, Carroll, Montero, Emnes, Bony.
• SWANSEA (4-2-3-1):Fabianski; Rangel, Amat, Williams (C), Taylor; Ki, Shelvey; Dyer, Sigurdsson, Routledge; Gomis.
• Chelsea subs: Cech, Filipe Luis, Zouma, Ramires, Salah, Remy, Willian.
• CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Schurrle, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa.
• Without further ado, here is the team news...
• Today's clash also pits the league's two highest assisters against each other as summer signings Cesc Fabregas and Gylfi Sigurdsson have created four goals each in their first three games for Chelsea and Swansea respectively. Who can provide the magic today? It looks set to be a mouthwatering encounter at Stamford Bridge.
• Three wins against Manchester United, Burnley and West Bromwich Albion have resulted in an ideal start for the Swans, with Garry Monk deservedly being crowned as the Manager of the Month for August. However, in the blue corner, we have Chelsea striker Diego Costa who has enjoyed a blistering beginning to his Blues' career, scoring four times in his first three matches, en route to being named the Player of the Month for August. To put his numbers in perspective, it took Fernando Torres 39 games to reach the same four-goal tally for Chelsea.
• When the fixture list was released in June, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is unlikely to have foreseen this game being a top-of-the-table battle. The season may only be three games old, but Garry Monk's Swansea travel to Stamford Bridge in high spirits and in a high-flying second place as they are the only other side in the Premier League to match their opponent's perfect record.