Just goal difference separated West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City in the Premier League table prior to their clash at The Hawthorns this afternoon.
Former Baggie Luke Moore put the visitors ahead with his second goal in as many games, before Romelu Lukaku levelled the scores on 40 minutes.
West Brom's top scorer would miss a second-half penalty, but 10 minutes later, Jonathan de Guzman put the ball into his own net to complete the turnaround for Steve Clarke's side.
Roland Lamah had a late equaliser controversially chalked off for Swansea, who are leapfrogged by their opponents in the table courtesy of the defeat.
Below, you can read how the action unfolded in the West Midlands.
Afternoon all! The Premier League table suggests we are in for a competitive contest at The Hawthorns. Swansea in eighth are above West Brom only on goal difference.
Let's great straight to the team news...
WEST BROM: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Yacob, Mulumbu; Dorrans, Morrison, Brunt; Lukaku
SUBS: Myhill, Tamas, Popov, Thomas, Rosenberg, Fortune, Odemwingie
SWANSEA: Vorm, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Davies; Ki, de Guzman, Hernandez, Routledge; Michu; Moore
SUBS: Tremmel, Bartley, Tiendalli, Dyer, Gower, Lamah, Shechter
The headline news for the hosts is the return of loan striker Romelu Lukaku, who was ineligible to face parent club Chelsea last weekend.
Shane Long is not fit to partner the 19-year-old up front though. He is absent for the Baggies with an ankle knock and makes way for the Belgian in one of three changes from their Stamford Bridge defeat.
Captain Chris Brunt is restored to the lineup at the expense of Marc-Antoine Fortune as Steve Clarke switches back to a 4-5-1 formation, with Lukaku the lone forward. Billy Jones is recalled at right-back in place of Steven Reid, who is not in the Baggies squad.
Fortune is on an attack-minded Baggies bench which also includes Markus Rosenberg and Peter Odemwingie, who is continuing to be reintegrated into the West Brom first team after his transfer deadline day fiasco.
The Nigerian international tried to force through a last-ditch move to Queens Park Rangers without the permission of West Brom. He was initially banned from first-team training, but has since made substitute appearances against Sunderland and Chelsea.
Full-back Goran Popov is also among the home substitutes after completing his three-match suspension for allegedly spitting at Tottenham defender Kyle Walker.
There are few surprises in the Swansea XI as Michael Laudrup, who signed an extended contract at the Liberty Stadium this week, only makes two alterations.
After netting his first Premier League goal of the season in the 1-0 win over Newcastle last Saturday, Luke Moore is handed a start up front for the first time since Boxing Day against his former club.
His inclusion means that top scorer Michu will operate from a deeper role. Pablo Hernandez and Wayne Routledge are preferred to two-goal cup final hero Nathan Dyer on the flanks.
There is also a change in midfield. With Leon Britton and Kemy Agustien out injured, Ki Sung-Yeung comes back into the team and will play alongside Jonathan de Guzman, who also netted twice in their record-breaking triumph over Bradford City at Wembley.
Chico Flores missed the Capital One Cup final and he is still sidelined with ruptured knee ligaments. Club skipper Garry Monk continues to deputise in the centre of defence.
Swansea visit The Hawthorns boosted by the news that sought-after manager Laudrup has committed himself to the club until 2015.
The Dane, a Real Madrid star in his playing days, had been touted as a possible successor to Jose Mourinho at the Spanish giants following his fine debut season with the Swans.
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He has delivered the club's first ever major trophy and secured them European football for next season, but with the big boys monitoring his progress, there was talk that Laudrup would not be present to oversee their Europa League campaign.
That speculation seems to have been put to bed by Friday's news that the 48-year-old has signed a new one-year contract extension.
"We've started something this season that I want to continue," Laudrup told the club's official website. "I know there has been a lot of speculation [about my future], but I've always said that I am happy here and I never had any doubts I would stay.
"I am delighted to sign the new deal and I'm already really looking forward to next season. I hope there will be some very exciting things happening with the team and with the club in Europe."
Around 10 minutes until kickoff now, prediction time coming up!
Wayne Routledge has been one of those players to flourish under Laudrup's guidance this term and he was full of praise for his manager this week.
The former Crystal Palace and Spurs winger seems to have finally settled at Swansea after spells with seven Premier League clubs, and he credits Laudrup for the improvements in his game.
He told The Mirror: On the field it makes sense, but talking about it doesn't. Michael shows you once and straight away you understand because it's quite simple and very effective.
"Michael plants ideas in your head, but you pick up most of it when you see him in training.
"I feel my game's come on quite a bit. That comes with playing a lot."
Routledge has also recently signed a new contract with the Welsh outfit, but the future of one of his opponents today is less certain.
Romelu Lukaku's loan spell at West Brom is due to expire at the end of the season. Steve Clarke has revealed that he would like to keep the Belgian on next year, but Chelsea may have other ideas.
The Blues loanee has scored 12 Premier League goals this season and has been influential in West Brom's impressive home form. Only the two Manchester clubs have won more games on their own turf.
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PREDICTION: Swansea have wowed at times with their stylish football, but the return of Lukaku may give West Brom the edge on their home ground, where they have been so strong this season. I'll plump for 2-1 to the Baggies!
Here we go then, we are underway at The Hawthorns...
Two Swansea Spaniards link up as Hernandez picks out Michu, whose shot from the edge of the box is blocked by Gareth McAuley.
Their compatriot, Angel Rangel, is another Swan to have committed himself to the Liberty Stadium by signing a three-year deal this week.
CHANCE! Lovely Swansea move, started by a driving Williams run from central defence. Via Hernandez, Routledge and De Guzman, the ball nearly comes back to the Swansea skipper but Michu makes a run from deep and shoots over the bar on the stretch from 10 yards when Williams, waiting behind him, may have been in a better position.
SHOT! Billy Jones catches Routledge and concedes a free kick 22 yards out, from which De Guzman has Ben Foster scrambling with a curler that ends just wide of the near post.
Sloppy start from West Brom, who are surrendering possession far too frequently and far too easily. Every time they lose it, Swansea counter with pace and look dangerous. They have the early momentum.
West Brom's first prolonged spell of possession is nearly ended when Mulumbu's flick is short of Lukaku, but the Belgian shows great strength and desire to shrug off Garry Monk and keep the move alive. He will be a handful for Monk and company this afternoon.
These two sides have already reached that precious 40-point mark and are all-but mathematically safe from relegation. There are several bottom-of-the-table clashes this afternoon, though. No goals as yet, but I'll keep you updated.
Alternatively you can follow live coverage of Reading vs. Aston Villa or QPR vs. Sunderland courtesy of my Sports Mole colleagues.
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Lukaku finds the overlapping run of Jones, but there is no Baggies man in the middle to make anything of his decent cross.
CLOSE! Swansea launch a superb counter as five or six players link up with some one-touch passing. Moore eventually puts Michu clear with a through pass, but, one-on-one with Foster, the prolific summer signing pokes his left-footed effort into the side netting. What a break by Swansea, and what a chance for Michu!
West Brom register their first shot of the afternoon, and it is not one to remember. Hernandez gives the ball away, and Lukaku passes inside to Dorrans, who drags a 25-yard drive horribly wide.
GOALFLASH! Steven Fletcher has given Sunderland a 1-0 lead over bottom-of-the-table QPR at Loftus Road.
Lukaku again links up with one of his supporting midfielders, this time Chris Brunt, but is left frustrated as the Baggies skipper cannot find him with a return cross.
Mulumbu is perhaps fortunate to escape without a booking for a mistimed challenge on Routledge in the middle of the park.
High-foot tackles are topical this week following Nani's controversial sending off, but Lukaku goes unpunished for lifting his boot to head height and catching Garry Monk.
GOALFLASH! QPR are level against Sunderland courtesy of Loic Remy, while Reading lead Aston Villa following a Nathan Baker own goal.
CHANCE! Lukaku does brilliantly, cutting inside before finding Brunt with a ball over Angel Rangel. The Irishman controls it well, but then lashes a shot from a tight angle over the crossbar.
GOAL! West Brom 0-1 Swansea (Luke Moore)
After linking up with Ben Davies to win the corner himself, Luke Moore applies an excellent glancing header from De Guzman's delivery to net his second in as many games and give Swansea a deserved advantage.
GOALFLASH! Villa have replied almost instantly at Reading through Christian Benteke's 12th goal of the season.
Morrison creates a promising opening down the right, with some clever footwork which sees him skip past Davies. He crosses into a good area, but Lukaku had peeled off for the cutback and Williams can clear.
Williams attacks a Brunt delivery aimed for Lukaku and unconvincingly heads it behind for a corner.
GOAL! West Brom 1-1 Swansea (Romelu Lukaku)
The Baggies level through their top scorer. Morrison flicks a Ridgewell punt onto Dorrans, who crosses for Lukaku to turn in at the near post.
BOOKING: Jones trips Michu from behind on the edge of the box and consequently becomes the first player to be cautioned this afternoon.
SHOTS! From the resulting free kick, Hernandez strikes the wall with a tame hit, before De Guzman powerfully volleys a follow-up effort fractionally over the crossbar.
CHANCE! Monk's clearing header falls straight to Lukaku, who cleverly finds Morrison with a lifted through pass. The Scotland international shows great technique to strike a first-time volley, which takes Vorm by surprise, but is straight at him.
GOALFLASH! Gabriel Agbonlahor has completed a first-half turnaround for Aston Villa with a second before the break. They now lead Reading 2-1.
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HALF-TIME: West Brom 1-1 Swansea.
As their positions in the Premier League table suggested that it would be, this is a well-matched contest. Luke Moore scored against his former club to give Swansea a deserved lead based on the opening half-an-hour.
However, inspired by Romelu Lukaku, the Baggies fought their way back onto level terms with a 40th-minute goal from the Belgian, who was excellent throughout the first period.
STATS: Each side has enjoyed an equal share of possession, while Swansea have had one more shot (6) but one less on target (2) than the hosts.
We may have seen two goals in that first period, but the best chance was still squandered, and by Michu of all people. The 19-goal striker was sent clear by Moore, but could not convert from 12 yards with that magic left foot of his.
The second half is underway, with both sides unchanged...
Michu has a chance to spread the ball to Davies on the left, but instead combines with Moore and Routledge through the middle. The latter tries to get a shot away but is foiled by Claudio Yacob.
CHANCE! Monk makes a real mess of a clearance and the ball falls to Lukaku, who is 30 yards out and still has two defenders to beat. He opts to shoot from distance and connects well, but the shot was always drifting wide.
SAVE! Lukaku makes a great run in behind and Olsson finds him with a long pass. Lukaku chests it down and lays it off to Morrison, whose low shot is held well by Vorm at his near post.
PENALTY! After a series of poor defensive decisions, Routledge clumsily tumbles into Morrison from behind and referee Lee Mason points to the spot!
SAVE! Lukaku steps up from 12 yards but his tame effort down the middle is held by Vorm, who has now stopped 3 of the 7 Premier League penalties he has faced!
Swansea's defence will be breathing a huge sigh of relief after Vorm's save. There were a string of errors that led to the spot kick being given, but Williams and company were spared by their keeper.
SUBSTITUTION! Goalscorer Luke Moore looks very disappointed as he leaves the field to be replaced by Nathan Dyer.
GOAL! West Brom 2-1 Swansea (Jonathan de Guzman own goal)
Vorm's penalty save proves to only be a temporary reprieve as West Brom move ahead courtesy of a fortunate own goal. McAuley's header is nodded off the line by Rangel, but the clearance hits De Guzman on the back and rebounds into the Dutchman's own net.
Just a bit more information on that Luke Moore substitution. I was surprised to see him come off, as he had been bright throughout the match. However, we have now been told that a calf injury is the reason behind his early withdrawal.
SUBSTITUTION: A poor afternoon's work from Pablo Hernandez is over as he is swapped for Roland Lamah, who is on loan from La Liga side Osasuna.
Rangel is allowed to drift inside unchallenged and finds Lamah with a reverse pass, but the recently introduced Belgian is flagged for offside as Foster saves his chipped effort. Just the five or six yards offside, Roland.
GOALFLASH! Spurs loanee Andros Townsend has opened his Premier League account to put QPR 2-1 ahead against Sunderland.
De Guzman tries to thread in Routledge with an ambitious through pass, but Olsson intercepts.
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BLOCKED! Dorrans strikes one from long range and it looks to be bound for the top corner, but Williams comes across and diverts it behind.
SUBSTITUTION: Michael Laudrup makes his final change, throwing on forward Itay Shechter in place of Wayne Routledge.
Swansea have not looked like scoring in this second period. In-fact, they have only netted eight times on their travels since bagging five against QPR on the opening day of the season. There is time for that to change, though.
CHANCE! Michu is wasteful again as he skies a Dyer layoff into the stands from 15 yards.
SUBSTITUTION: The excellent Lukaku leaves the field to a rapturous reception, while the incoming Odemwingie is met by a mixed reaction.
SHOT! Ki creates some space on the edge of the box by shifting the ball away from Mulumbu. He strikes from 20 yards, but the shot rolls harmlessly into Foster's arms.
Swansea are pressing for an equaliser now, and without Lukaku, West Brom are no longer able to hold the ball up and keep possession.
DRAMA! Roland Lamah has a goal chalked off for offside, but the Swans aren't happy about it! The substitute wriggles past Ridgewell inside the box and then squares for Shechter to convert. Olsson intercepts and pokes the ball back to Lamah, who squeezes the ball in from two yards. The effort is disallowed for offside, but no Swansea player appeared to touch the ball as it returned to Lamah.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Clarke makes a time-wasting double change, introducing Jerome Thomas and Marc Antoine-Fortune in place of Graham Dorrans and James Morrison.
We are entering stoppage time, of which there will be four minutes...
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GOALFLASH! Jermaine Jenas has wrapped up what could be three crucial points for QPR with a third against Sunderland.
Thomas steals the ball from Rangel with a sliding tackle, and Odemwingie picks up the loose ball. West Brom counter but he knocks the ball out of play as he looks for Thomas with a return.
FULL-TIME: West Brom 2-1 Swansea
Despite a late Swansea rally, the Baggies hang on for the points which see them climb above their opponents, and Liverpool, into seventh in the Premier League table.
Luke Moore netted against his former club to put the visitors ahead. Romelu Lukaku replied five minutes prior to the break, but had a second-half penalty saved by Michel Vorm. An unfortunate Jonathan de Guzman own goal completed West Brom's turnaround, while Roland Lamah saw a late equaliser ruled out for offside.
It will be that decision and not an under-par performance which will leave a sour taste in the mouths of Michael Laudrup's Swans. Lamah's cross was rebounded to him by a West Brom body, therefore his offside position was irrelevant when he tucked in from a tight angle. Referee Lee Mason did not spot that, though.
That is it from me! Be sure to check back in with Sports Mole for further analysis of today's Premier League matches. Thanks for joining us this afternoon! Over and out.
Written by
Joe Fish
Joe Fish
