Premier League
Dec 23, 2017 3.00pm
1
1
HT : 0 0
FT
  • Federico Fernandez 32' yellowcard
  • Jordan Ayew 77' goal
  • Roque Mesa 85' yellowcard
  • yellowcard Wilfried Zaha 34'
  • yellowcard James McArthur 51'
  • goal Luka Milivojevic 59'
  • yellowcard Luka Milivojevic 62'

Managerless Swansea City rescue point against Crystal Palace

Managerless Swansea rescue point

Swansea City secured a point against Crystal Palace at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon in their first game since Paul Clement was sacked by the club.

Luka Milivojevic put Palace ahead from the penalty spot just before the hour-mark, and the Swans responded with a 77th-minute strike by Jordan Ayew.

Pressure was on Swansea and caretaker manager Leon Britton due to their lowly place at the bottom of the Premier League table.

It was a bright start from both teams, with the hosts seeing more of the ball, but the first real chance of the afternoon came from the Eagles when Federico Fernandez gave the ball away.

Andros Townsend ended up cutting inside before trying to curl the ball towards the far corner, but Lukasz Fabianski managed to make a crucial stop.

Ten minutes into the game Swansea players appealed for a penalty when Luciano Narsingh was brought do ground by Jeffrey Schlupp in the box, but the referee waved away their claims.

The hosts dominated for large chunks of the game, but the vulnerabilities were highlighted when the ball was given away cheaply - one particular incident left Wilfried Zaha with the ball.

The former Manchester United player found Ruben Loftus-Cheek, but the England international could only guide the ball wide of the far post.

The breakthrough was made in the 59th minute when Loftus-Cheek won a penalty after being tripped by Fernandez in the box, and Milivojevic stood up to take the spot kick and sent the ball down the middle.

Swansea did not allow their heads to drop and efforts were eventually rewarded when Ayew faked a 25-yard shot before moving forward to unleash a powerful strike that nestled into the back of the net.

The hosts were unable to find the winner and as a result remain in the bottom three, four points from safety after 19 fixtures in the top flight.

As for Palace, Roy Hodgson's side are 16th in the standings, two points above the drop.

Swansea City (4-3-3): Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson; Clucas, Mesa, Carroll; Narsingh, Abraham, Dyer

Crystal Palace (4-4-2): Speroni, Kelly, Tomkins, Dann, Schlupp; McArthur, Cabaye, Milivojevic, Loftus-Cheek; Townsend, Zaha

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