Swansea vs Chelsea match report: Gylfi Sigurdsson strikes as Blues lose first League game under Guus Hiddink

Swansea City 1 Chelsea 0

(getty)

Guus Hiddink, the Chelsea interim manager, warned his “sloppy” players to raise their game after the club’s 15-match unbeaten Premier League run was brought to an unceremonious halt by Swansea City.

Gylfi Sigurdsson’s first-half goal condemned Chelsea to the first league defeat since Hiddink succeeded Jose Mourinho last December.

It ensured a disappointing end to a week that began with confirmation that Italy manager Antonio Conte would take over the reins at Stamford Bridge this summer.

“I don’t think the Conte appointment affected the players because what we did in the second half was good so I don’t think they had it in mind to look to next season,” Hiddink said.

“But it is not just about a new manager, you have to show at a club like this what you are capable of. The players have to be internally motivated, that is a key condition to being at a club like Chelsea.”

Sigurdsson put Swansea on course for their first ever Premier League win over Chelsea when he volleyed past Asmir Begovic from 15 yards in the 25th minute.

The Iceland international struck after Jefferson Montero had bamboozled the Chelsea defence and took maximum advantage of a weak-headed clearance by centre-back Matt Miazga, who was unable to fill the void left by injured duo Gary Cahill and John Terry.

Montero should have doubled the lead late on while Alexandre Pato missed two sitters on his first start for Chelsea.

Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink watches on at the Liberty Stadium (Getty)

“We expected a tough game, they needed three points and we were safe. We had a soft target we had achieved, so we expected a lot of opposition,” Hiddink added.

“We created some chances in the first 20 minutes but we were sloppy. We thought it would come, but if you do not take those chances you get into trouble and we got into trouble going 1-0 down.”

Hiddink defended the decision to drop Thibaut Courtois in favour of Begovic.

“Begovic is a good keeper and he has proven that,” Hiddink said. “He has done his job as a professional very well. He is 100 per cent committed in every training session and that is why I rewarded him with the chance to play.”

Francesco Guidolin, the Swansea manager, effectively conceded that the club’s Premier League status had been safeguarded by the win.

“I think we are safe now,” he said. “We know it is not completely done but now I think we can see a way forward and are not looking behind. It is an important moment for the club.

“That was the best performance since I took over and so this is a proud day for me and for the players. We need to finish the season well.”