Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin apologises for Neil Taylor substitution

Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin admitted he regrets substituting Neil Taylor moments before half-time in their 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.

Guidolin opted to replace the defender with forward Modou Barrow in the 41st minute when his side were trailing by a goal after Diego Costa opened the scoring at the Liberty Stadium. 

The Italian's decision not to wait until the break to make the change appeared to have angered Taylor, who refused to shake Guidolin's hand as he expressed his disappointment. 

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Speaking after the game, the Swans' boss apologised to Taylor, saying: "I am sorry to Neil Taylor because I made a mistake. I should have waited three minutes to make the change. 

"We needed a changed man and in the second half we played better and more aggressive and I am happy for the result but it was a very, very difficult game and Chelsea are a strong team.

"He [Taylor] is a good guy and he understood. There is no problem between the two of us. In the dressing room we spoke together, there was no problem. At that moment my team needed a reaction and I had to change something."

The hosts turned things around after the break, with two goals in two minutes thanks to Gylfi Sigurdsson's penalty just before the hour-mark, followed by Leroy Fer's opportunistic finish.

Guidolin was happy with his side's point, saying: "It's a very good result against a very strong team. For us, it was difficult after Chelsea's first goal because before that we played good football and then with a new shape they were difficult so I chose to change something. 

"The game changed after our first goal but confidence changed in my players and we had to improve in this. We had to be more confident. I trust my players and I think we can play with the shape of the first half because we have the quality to play in this way but we have to be more confident.

"I think Chelsea didn't deserve to lose but we are happy."

Chelsea eventually rescued a point and ensured their unbeaten start to the season remained intact nine minutes from time as Costa struck with an overhead kick.