Saturday 8 August 2015 21:07, UK
Garry Monk was left wondering what might have been after Swansea missed a golden opportunity to beat 10-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Swans showed resilience to twice come back from a goal behind against the Premier League champions, who had goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sent off for a foul on Bafetimbi Gomis in the second half.
Gomis had what could have been a winning goal ruled out for offside late on, but Swansea couldn’t find a way through the Chelsea rearguard as the game finished 2-2. And Swansea manager Monk was left with a slight taste of disappointment at his side’s inability to find a winner.
"If I’m going to be picky then, of course, I think we should have won," he said on Saturday Night Football. "It’s surprising to be able to say that.
"This time last year we came here and played well for 45 minutes and then we struggled. But today, for 90 minutes, we were excellent, as were the chances we created.
"Naturally the players - who came to the home of the champions - were undecided whether to go for the win or to stick with the draw in the in the last 10-15 minutes and I think we didn’t quite push enough.
"But I said to the players earlier that if they believe in how we are working we can come to places like this and create enough to be able to win the game."
Having fallen behind to Oscar’s opener, Swansea fought back as new signing Andre Ayew netted on his Premier League debut.
And Monk believes his side's display against the champions was a demonstration of a new approach both he and his Swansea side have adopted in pre-season and are looking to carry on into the new season.
"We planned to take Chelsea on. That has been the message to the players all pre-season," Monk added. "We have the attacking threats within our squad to be able to play and express ourselves.
"That was the intention today and that is what I have been promoting all pre-season, that we come and attack teams.
"I put those plans on the pitch and I thought we were magnificent today, everyone contributed.
"To come to a very difficult place, to an excellent side and to play the way we played, and to have the chances we created was great."
