Rudiger's header gives wasteful Chelsea 1-0 win over Swansea

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Nov 29 (Reuters) - Antonio Rudiger's first Premier League goal for Chelsea secured a 1-0 win over Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday as Blues manager Antonio Conte was sent to the stands after a frustrating first half.

Chelsea dominated a scoreless opening period, managing 11 shots on goal to none for the visitors, but Conte was sent to the stands in the 43rd minute by referee Neil Swarbrick after the fourth official called his attention to an angry outburst.

Conte's side finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when defender Rudiger reacted quickest to N'Golo Kante's deflected shot by diving to head the ball home.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Swansea City’s Wilfried Bony in action with Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Chelsea's struggles in front of goal continued for the rest of the game as a combination of solid goalkeeping by Swansea keeper Lukasz Fabianski and wasteful finishing prevented them from winning by a greater margin.

A contrite Conte said it was time-wasting by Swansea, who had only two attempts on goal over the 90 minutes, that led to him being sent off.

"I tried to tell this to the fourth official not only once but a few times," he told the BBC.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Swansea City's Leroy Fer in action with Chelsea's Pedro and N'Golo Kante REUTERS/Hannah McKay

"I have apologised because I did the wrong thing. I have been in to see them after the game. It’s right to speak and apologise with them," Conte added.

Third in the table on 29 points and 11 behind leaders Manchester City, Chelsea face a quick turnaround as they play Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge at lunchtime on Saturday, while second-bottom Swansea travel to Stoke City.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger celebrates with Andreas Christensen at the end of the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

(Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Toby Davis)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Chelsea manager Antonio Conte sat in the stands after being sent there by referee Neil Swarbrick Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Swansea City's Jordan Ayew in action with Chelsea's N'Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Chelsea's Eden Hazard in action with Swansea City's Oliver McBurnie Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Swansea City's Leroy Fer in action with Chelsea's N'Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Swansea City manager Paul Clement looks dejected at the end of the match REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Swansea City's Ki Sung Yueng in action with Chelsea's Willian, Andreas Christensen and N'Golo Kante REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Referee Neil Swarbrick send Chelsea manager Antonio Conte to the stands Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Swansea City manager Paul Clement reacts REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Swansea City's Leroy Fer in action with Chelsea's Pedro REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Swansea City's Lukasz Fabianski makes a save REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Swansea City's Jordan Ayew in action with Chelsea's Marcos Alonso and Cesc Fabregas Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata in action with Swansea City's Kyle Naughton REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Swansea City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 29, 2017 General view of a Chelsea fan wearing a badge covered hat before the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra