The absence of Jack Cork from the team sheet yesterday evening was a real surprise as he had been an ever present since arriving from Southampton back in January but he was asked to start yesterday's game on the bench.

That stint though didn't last for long as he was soon back into the action to replace the injured Ki Sung-Yeung and it was like he had never been away.

Despite picking up an early yellow card he was soon at the heart of everything that the Swans were doing and he was a big part of why we got a point and shook the Champions massively on the first day of the season.

Cork was returning to the club where he had spent 13 years despite never making a first team appearance and it must have been a blow to him to drop back to the bench but it also determines just how much this squad has strengthened that we can afford to let a player of his quality start such an important fixture as a substitute.

“It is a great start to the season for us,” said Cork

“We could have gone on to win it, but we have to be happy with a point at Chelsea.

“It’s a great boost. You don’t want to go to a place like Chelsea and lose 3-0 or 4-0 on the opening day.

“We showed that we can match one of the best teams in the league, and that’s a big achievement.

“Hopefully we can use this result to push on this season.”

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