Chelsea secured a workmanlike 1-0 win over lowly Swansea in the Premier League on Wednesday thanks to Antonio Rudiger's second-half goal at Stamford Bridge.

Rudiger nodded home his first Premier League goal early in the second half after N'Golo Kante's speculative shot deflected into his path off the head of Wilfried Bony.

The scoreline did not truly reflect Chelsea's dominance as Antonio Conte, who was sent to the stands in the first half, took the opportunity to rest Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta.

Player ratings

Chelsea: Courtois (6), Cahill (7), Rudiger (8), Alonso (7), Christensen (7), Zappacosta (7), Fabregas (7), Kante (7), Pedro (7), Willian (7), Morata (7).

Subs used: Moses (5), Hazard (5), Drinkwater (5).

Swansea: Fabianski (7), Van Der Hoorn (7), Mawson (7), Naughton (6), Olsson (6), Ki (7), Carroll (6), Mesa (5), Sanches (3), Ayew (5), Bony (5).

Subs used: Fer (6), McBurnie (6), Routledge (n/a).

Man of the match: Antonio Rudiger.

The win keeps Chelsea in third while Swansea stay one off the bottom having never really looked likely to claim the three points that would have moved them out of the relegation zone.

Chelsea paid tribute to former coach Dermot Drummy before kick-off, following his passing at the age of 56 earlier in the week, and they were soon into their stride. Lukasz Fabianski was forced into six first-half saves while the away team failed to muster even an effort on goal.

The best of the Poland international's stops came from Alvaro Morata midway through the half when he the goalkeeper tipped over the striker's improvised volley.

That resulted in a Chelsea corner but it was the failure to award the home side another such decision just before the interval that saw Conte sent to the stands for his complaints.

He was celebrating soon after when Rudiger gave Chelsea the lead and the only surprise was that the Blues were unable to add to it with Morata spurning a number of chances.

The Spanish striker has scored eight Premier League goals to Swansea's seven so far this season and it was he who went closer to adding to his tally on Wednesday.

His wastefulness made for some nervy moments late on as Paul Clement's side searched for an equaliser but they could fashion no clear openings and Chelsea secured a deserved win.

Man of the match - Antonio Rudiger

It was not a night for sparkling play from the Premier League champions but nobody did more to contribute to the win than Antonio Rudiger. The German defender, one of four players introduced to the team as Conte rotated his squad, did his job defensively and popped up with his first Premier League goal to make the breakthrough.

Chelsea supporters are not used to watching Premier League games and not seeing Cesar Azpilicueta on the pitch - he had played every minute of the last 74 in the competition prior to Wednesday night. But Rudiger's efforts in that position on the right side of the defence ensured that his absence did not cost the home side any points.
What's next?

Chelsea will be in action live on Sky Sports this weekend as they host Newcastle on Saturday while Swansea travel to Stoke in the Premier League.

Click Here For Official Team Sheet

Teams

Chelsea Courtois, Rudiger, Christensen, Cahill (c), Zappacosta (Moses 75), Fabregas, Kante, Alonso, Willian (Drinkwater 81), Pedro (Hazard 81), Morata
Subs Not Used Caballero, Bakayoko, Azpilicueta, Ampadu
Booked Morata
Goals Rudiger 55

Swansea City Fabianski, Naughton, van der Hoorn, Mawson, Olsson, Sung-yueng, Mesa (McBernie 65), Carroll, Sanches (Fer 46), Bony (c), Ayew (Routledge 84)
Subs Not Used Nordfeldt, Dyer, Clucas, Rangel
Booked
Goals

Attendance 41,365

Referee Neil Swarbrick