Chelsea 1-0 Swansea City: Rudiger's header the difference as Conte is sent to the stands

Full-time: Chelsea 1-0 Swansea City

Antonio Rudiger's second half header proves to be the difference at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea edge past a resilient Swansea, who had Lukasz Fabianski to thank for keeping them in the contest.

Antonio Conte, who was sent to the stands for his protests over a corner Chelsea didn't receive, will be happy with the three points and perhaps the performance, with key players rested.

That's it for IB Times UK's coverage this evening. Enjoy your evening.

Cahill makes an incredible intervention to clear Olsson's cross as Chelsea begin to live dangerously. Morata is then cautioned for kicking the ball away as the clock ticks down.

Four minutes of stoppage time left to play in west London. Still 1-0 to Chelsea.

Big chance for Swansea!

Routledge darts forward and plays a great cross in for Bony, who just cannot connect. A bit of a let-off for Chelsea.

Not much in the way of attacking play to report on as head into the final knockings at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea still one-up, and they look comfortable now.

Could prove to be a huge goal for Chelsea.

Swansea make a final change with Routledge coming on for Ayew.

Hazard's first involvement is almost decisive as he latches onto a pass and pulls it back for Morata, who just fails to convert and kill the game. Swansea live on.

Chelsea make a double change: Pedro and Willian are off, Hazard and Drinkwater on.

Bournemouth have halved the deficit at the Vitality Stadium! Joshua King's prods home from close range to set up a grandstand finish.

Can the Swans break through?

Victor Moses is now on for Zappacosta. Just over quarter of an hour left at Stamford Bridge, Swansea have been coming into it as an attacking force in the last few minutes.

Fabianski on hand again to deny Alonso after good work from Willian. Alonso had a couple of chances but couldn't find his way past the Swansea stopper.

Swansea win a corner that Morata does well to head away and then clear completely. Victor Moses is set to come on for the hosts with 20 minutes remaining.

Ayew then tries his luck for the Swans but his cross-shot is claimed by Courtois.

Burnley are now two goals to the good away at Bournemouth. Robbie Brady with the Clarets' second of the evening.

Willian is the next Chelsea player to test Fabianski; the Brazilian's drive parried by Fabianski, who thanks his defenders for alleviating the danger.

Rudiger's a happy chap.

Morata darts away from Mawson but can't get his effort on target. The Englishman did well to heap pressure on the former Real Madrid man.

Second substitution for Swansea; Mcburnie on, Mesa off.

Fabregas lofts in a free-kick which is met by Morata. The Spaniard heads goalbound, but is thwarted by Fabianski, who saves excellently.

Rudiger drives from his own box, exchanges passes with Willian and wins a throw out of Olsson. Tremendous athleticism from the German, but Chelsea can't profit from his work.

Alonso should make it two! He seems to take a while to set himself before shooting at Van der Hoorn's feet.

Chelsea come again through Zappacosta, whose cross is headed behind for another corner.

Chelsea play the corner short to Kante, whose shot deflects off Bony and into the path of Rudiger, who manages to head home. 1-0 to the hosts, much to their relief.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Swansea City (Rudiger)

Willian sprays a ball to Alonso, who gives to back to the Brazilian. He crosses low to Pedro, whose shot balloons over. Frustration grows for the champions.

Zappacosta's drilled delivery goes for another corner.

Fabregas takes, cleared, crosses again, cleared. Chelsea really missing Hazard's invention tonight.

Swansea come forward, but Naughton's cross is meat and drink for Courtois. Clement's side are rigid at the back, but toothless up top.

Chelsea try to work an opening, with Fabregas' tame shot eventually deflected behind for a corner, which is cleared well.

Chelsea continue to probe through Alonso, whose cross is just about cleared by Van der Hoorn. Great ball from Rudiger to find the Spaniard.

Second half is underway at Stamford Bridge. Swansea have made one change; Fer on for Sanches.

This mane has been in fine form so far, but will he continue to keep Chelsea at bay in the second half?

Morata has had a few openings but has failed to add to his impressive tally tonight.

Half-time: Chelsea 0-0 Swansea City

Pedro and Morata have tested Fabianski but Swansea have not had to be all hands to the pump so far. Conte, who will watch the rest of the match from the stands, will be rather displeased with the way things have gone, but Clement will hope for more of the same.

One minute of added time in the first half at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea have been frustrated but not overly impressive.

A sending off for Chelsea... Conte's been told to sit in the stands by Swarbrick after gesticulating wildly about the referee's failure to give Chelsea a corner.

He went rather irate, did old Antonio.

Fantastic cross from Willian is not met by Morata but is kept alive by Alonso, who feeds Fabregas.

Willian gets a second bite of the crossing cherry and manages to find Pedro, whose cross hits Mawson and just creeps wide of goal.

Cahill tries to volley a ball towards goal but is just prevented by Sanches, who alleviated the pressure from a Chelsea corner.

Sanches gives away a foul on Willian, but Fabregas' searching ball is cut out by Naughton.

Swansea try and break through Sanches, but his pass is woeful, easily intercepted by Kante.

There's been a goal at at the Vitality Stadium!

Chris Wood has given Burnley the lead at Bournemouth. Sean Dyche's men continuing their rich vein of form as it stands.

Willian's shot comes of Naughton for a corner, which is crossed in by Fabregas. Alonso gets up well and has a free header inside the box, but construes to miss. Pooor from the Spaniard.

Fabianski saves from Morata again, this time the Spaniard's volley is tipped over by the former Arsenal stopper. Is he about to have one of those nights?

Pedro tests Fabianski again, the Pole this time making a very smart from the Spaniard from all of 25 yards. The Swansea 'keeper then manages to hold Morata's goalbound header from a corner. 0-0.

Fabregas finds Alonso, who forces a corner. It comes to nothing of note, though, as Morata heads over.

Pedro controls a lofted ball, drifts away from his man before shooting straight and Fabianski, who is yet to be tested by the Premier League champions.

12 minutes gone and Morata looks to get involved, turning a Swansea defender and unleashing a drive that doesn't test Fabianski. Chelsea starting to assert themselves, 0-0.

Willian tries his luck with a free-kick that beats the wall but also beats the post. Not by much, though.

The game has not started ever-so brightly, with Swansea content to pass the around in offensive areas. Chelsea have not had any sights of goal since Pedro lurked dangerously in the opening exchanges.

Underway at Stamford Bridge. Morata tries to immediately link up with Pedro, whose route to goal is blocked by Van der Hoorn.

Before things get underway at Stamford Bridge, there is a minute's applause for former academy coach Dermot Drummy, who sadly passed away on Monday.

The teams are walking out onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge. A final reminder of the line-ups:

Chelsea: Courtois; Rudiger, Christensen, Cahill (c); Zappacosta, Fabregas, Kante, Alonso; Willian, Morata, Pedro.

Swansea City: Fabianski, Naughton, Mawson, Ki, Olsson, Carroll, van der Hoorn, Bony, Sanches, Roque, Ayew.

Alvaro Morata has scored eight goals in the Premier League this season, one more than Swansea have managed in total.

Antonio Conte is looking to keep his squad fresh ahead of the coming weeks:

"I think it's normal for rotation. At the same time, I have to have the best balance to my team."

Predictions for this evening? Paul Clement's side are solid on the road, but Chelsea have been known to brush lesser sides away with ease under Antonio Conte. I'll go for 2-0.

Always time for a photo with a supporter. Will Clement be smiling at the final whistle?

Another goal for Willian would go down a treat in west London tonight. The Brazilian saved a point for the Blues against Liverpool last time out, but did he even mean to?

Less than half an hour until kick-off at Stamford Bridge.

A reminder of today's teams:

Chelsea: Courtois; Rudiger, Christensen, Cahill (c); Zappacosta, Fabregas, Kante, Alonso; Willian, Morata, Pedro.

Swansea City: Fabianski, Naughton, Mawson, Ki, Olsson, Carroll, van der Hoorn, Bony, Sanches, Roque, Ayew

The home faithful are scurrying into Stamford Bridge.

The teams are going through their pre-match paces. 30 minutes until kick-off.

A few people will be displeased at this.

Will Nathan Dyer enjoy the rest of his 30th birthday?

Thibaut Courtois has called on his Chelsea to maintain 100% concentration ahead of tonight's clash.

"Swansea maybe lack points but at Arsenal they did a good game and against Tottenham as well, which shows away at big teams they are hard to beat."

"I remember at home last year and away as well, [goalkeeper] Lukasz Fabianski did a good game. In my experience against Swansea they are always tough games so I am sure this will be another one.

"You have to focus yourselves for 90 minutes and if we are focused like we were against West Brom, we will have a good game.

Morata, Alonso and Zappacosta survey their surroundings. The trio start for Chelsea tonight.

The Bridge is open.

Antonio Conte will be hoping Chelsea get another three points on the board as they try to stay in touching distance against Manchester City, who host Southampton this evening.

The Italian coach believes that strengthening the team is the only way the Blues can compete with Manchester City, who are runaway favourites to win the Premier League. Chelsea are currently in third place – 11 points behind Pep Guardiola's team.

"I think about this topic but it is better if my club ask me what I need to catch them up and then I will answer, but in a private way," Conte said ahead of the Blues' clash against Swansea City on Wednesday (29 November), as quoted by the Guardian.

"We are in November and now we have to fight with this squad and I want to repeat that I am very happy to work with these players and try to do our best [this season].

"If one day the club try to ask me something about this topic, I can give my opinion but at the same time I am very happy to work for this club with these players. The club knows very well we are trying to build something important for the present and for the future,"

The Swans have landed.

Azpilicueta's streak comes to an end. Not through injury, though - he is on the bench if need be.

Antonio Conte makes four changes to the side that drew with Liverpool. Hazard, Azpilicueta, Drinkwater and Bakayoko are all on the substitutes' bench, with Pedro, Willian, Rudiger and Fabregas replacing them.

For Swansea, they make no changes, with Wilfried Bony skippering the side and leading the attack in the absence of Tammy Abraham and Federico Fernandez.

SUBSTITUTES

Chelsea: Caballero, Azpilicueta, Ampadu, Moses, Drinkwater, Bakayoko, Hazard.

Swansea City: Fer, Dyer, Nordfeldt, Routledge, Clucas, Rangel, McBurnie

TEAM NEWS

Swansea City: Fabianski, Naughton, Mawson, Ki, Olsson, Carroll, van der Hoorn, Bony, Sanches, Roque, Ayew.

TEAM NEWS

As you were for Swansea, who drew 0-0 with Bournemouth on the weekend.

TEAM NEWS

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea: Courtois; Rudiger, Christensen, Cahill (c); Zappacosta, Fabregas, Kante, Alonso; Willian, Morata, Pedro.

Not Chelsea vs Swansea-related but still very much newsworthy.

Big Sam's in the house at Everton. What a series of events.

Remember this evening, Swansea fans? What Paul Clement would do to have a fit and firing Michu at his disposal now...

Plenty of Premier League action to be savoured this evening, with six matches taking place around the country.

Our focus lies at Stamford Bridge, though Liverpool and Arsenal are also in action this evening - they face Stoke City and Huddersfield Town respectively.

Speaking of David Luiz, Real Madrid are reportedly considering submitting a bid for Chelsea's big-haired Brazilian in the January transfer window.

The Brazil international was dropped earlier this month by Blues boss Antonio Conte, following an exchange between the pair in which the Italian perceived his authority had been questioned after his side's 3-0 defeat against Roma in the Champions League.

Luiz's protracted absence for the starting XI has alerted Real Madrid, with the Brazilian understood to be considering his options.

Will Paul Clement's side swan off with three points this evening?

Team news coming up shortly.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has had a lot to say about the Blues' current schedule, and he is prepared to try his hand at rotating, something he seldom had to do last season, in order to keep his players fit and firing ahead of a gruelling festive period.

"The most important thing for us is to have all the players available," he said at his pre-Swansea press conference."This is very important because, in this period, it's very busy. It will be very important to make the rotation with the players.

"I think to give the opportunity to my players, it will be very important. Because, in this way, we keep the concentration very high. The players that need to rest, they can do this.

"Don't forget: if you play every game, you stop to train, and the probability of having an injury is very high. Very high. I think it will be very important to create a good balance between games and training."

Antonio Conte admits he is currently unsure how much time David Luiz is set to miss as the result of a knee injury that will keep the Chelsea centre-back sidelined for the visit of Swansea City.

The match also comes to soon for Charly Musonda, Kenedy and Michy Batshuayi.

"I can tell you the players not available," Conte replied when asked for a team news update before Swansea, per football.london. "Luiz for a knee problem, [Charly] Musonda, [Michy] Batshuayi and Kenedy are trying to find the right form to be back."

Swansea City will have to make do without Tammy Abraham and Federico Fernandez for their trip to Chelsea on Wednesday (29 November) but have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the clash at Stamford Bridge.

Abraham, who is the Swans' top scorer this season with five goals in all competitions, is not permitted to play against his parent club while skipper Fernandez has returned to Argentina after learning of the death of his father.

"After Saturday, everyone is okay," Clement said in his press conference, per Wales Online. "We can't play Tammy Abraham against his parent club. Kyle Bartley is not far off training and hopefully he will be back in next couple of weeks. A clean bill of health otherwise.

"He [Abraham] would have been fit, he has trained well but the focus for him is the game at the weekend against Stoke. We knew when he came here he would not be able to play Wednesday, but this gives him good training time ahead of Stoke.

Asked about Fernandez's situation, Clement said: "He will not be back until the weekend which rule him out of Stoke fixture as well, will be back for West Brom fixture and be training next week."

The champions are at home, led by the fit-again Victor Moses, who has recovered from a hamstring. The Nigeria international was an unused substitute during his side's 1-1 draw wit Liverpool on the weekend; will he start tonight?

Has Chelsea's social media team dropped a few 'selection hints' with this brief montage?

Good evening and welcome to IB Times UK's live coverage of Chelsea vs Swansea City.

Antonio Conte's men are enjoying a decent run of form after flirting a mini-crisis just a few weeks ago, but the Blues need a win against the troubled Swans after dropping two points against Liverpool last time out.

While Chelsea are attempting to catch runaway league leaders Manchester City, Swansea City are currently holding onto the coattails of fellow relegation battlers West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Everton, who host the Hammers at Goodison Park tonight.

Paul Clement's side have endured a dreadful start to the new season and have only picked up one point from their last five Premier League matches. Their poor form has placed significant pressure on Clement, who will be looking for a win at his former place of work tonight.

Stick with IB Times UK for all the latest updates and team news from Stamford Bridge.