On paper, and going by recent form, it looked like Southampton would be back sitting pretty in third spot after they were pushed out of it by Manchester United yesterday. They have been in excellent form of late, while Swansea really haven't. Southampton have only lost at home to the two Manchester teams so far this season, which shows how good their home form has been of late.
Southampton made a really bright start to the game. They hardly let Swansea get hold of the ball, and were pushing forward with every chance that they got. On 7 minutes, James Ward-Prowse had an excellent chance when he steered his shot through the defenders leg. Lukasz Fabianski was equal to it though, making a great save with his feet to turn the ball away.
On 13 minutes, Swansea finally managed to get hold of the ball and create a chance with it. Jonjo Shelvey's through ball found Bafétimbi Gomis on the edge of the area and he turned to power his shot at the Southampton goal. He had beaten Fraser Forster, but unfortunately, his shot was just wide of the post.
This was followed by an onslaught of chances from Southampton. The first one came from Harrison Reed on the edge of the box, but he could only drag it wide of the post. 5 minutes later, they were gifted a few good chances following a corner. Dusan Tadic took too long to take his shot but still managed to cross the ball into the box, but no breakthrough came from it as the shot was directed over the crossbar. Instead of taking the direct approach, Southampton were just trying to pass the ball into the net. On 31 minutes, Eljero Elia put an excellent cross into the box, but Neil Taylor just did enough to put Tadic off and prevent the shot from happening.
In the first half, Southampton were unable to break down the Swansea defence. They were dominant throughout, but were missing that final cutting pass to get the goal that they really needed. On the other hand, Swansea were equal to everything that Southampton threw at them, Ashley Williams in particular doing a great job at making vital interceptions for his team. The second half started much the same as well.
Southampton made a really bright start to the game. They hardly let Swansea get hold of the ball, and were pushing forward with every chance that they got. On 7 minutes, James Ward-Prowse had an excellent chance when he steered his shot through the defenders leg. Lukasz Fabianski was equal to it though, making a great save with his feet to turn the ball away.
On 13 minutes, Swansea finally managed to get hold of the ball and create a chance with it. Jonjo Shelvey's through ball found Bafétimbi Gomis on the edge of the area and he turned to power his shot at the Southampton goal. He had beaten Fraser Forster, but unfortunately, his shot was just wide of the post.
This was followed by an onslaught of chances from Southampton. The first one came from Harrison Reed on the edge of the box, but he could only drag it wide of the post. 5 minutes later, they were gifted a few good chances following a corner. Dusan Tadic took too long to take his shot but still managed to cross the ball into the box, but no breakthrough came from it as the shot was directed over the crossbar. Instead of taking the direct approach, Southampton were just trying to pass the ball into the net. On 31 minutes, Eljero Elia put an excellent cross into the box, but Neil Taylor just did enough to put Tadic off and prevent the shot from happening.
In the first half, Southampton were unable to break down the Swansea defence. They were dominant throughout, but were missing that final cutting pass to get the goal that they really needed. On the other hand, Swansea were equal to everything that Southampton threw at them, Ashley Williams in particular doing a great job at making vital interceptions for his team. The second half started much the same as well.
Finally, on the hour mark, Swansea began to step up their game. They started pressing Southampton higher and passing the ball around neatly to keep possession. Shelvey's cross got cut out, and in the hope not to concede a corner, Forster ran out to clear the ball, but he could only find Taylor. Luckily for Southampton, Taylor wanted too much time on the ball and they were able to close him down, much to Forster's relief. Only a minute later, Shelvey pushed his way through the crowd and hits the post with his shot. The visitors were causing a lot more problems now.
With only 7 minutes and stoppage time left in the match, Swansea finally found the breakthrough they were looking for. After playing a quick one-two on the halfway line, Shelvey powers through the Southampton half, where no one tries to close him down or challenge him. He eventually reaches the edge of the box and fires his shot towards the top right corner, beating Forster and giving Swansea the lead their second half deserved.
This didn't stop Southampton though. They carried on pushing forward for what would now be an equaliser and in his haste to get the ball, Ryan Bertrand committed a foul that was deemed worthy of a red card. He goes completely over the top of the ball and takes out Modou Barrow. The referee reached straight for the card, despite Bertrand's protests, leaving Southampton with an even bigger mountain to climb.
However, it didn't look like it. Southampton carried on exactly the way they were before the sending off throughout stoppage time. The game became very scrappy and Swansea were camped out in their penalty box, but somehow they still managed to keep shut the door on any potential Southampton attacks.
So, that leaves Southampton in fourth, only one point behind United who beat Leicester yesterday and level on points with Arsenal, who they are only above because their goal difference is one higher. Swansea retain 9th position after Stoke had briefly gone above them yesterday due to a win. Could this be the game to turn Swansea's season around, allow them to climb the table and challenge for a place in Europe? I guess we'll soon find out...
With only 7 minutes and stoppage time left in the match, Swansea finally found the breakthrough they were looking for. After playing a quick one-two on the halfway line, Shelvey powers through the Southampton half, where no one tries to close him down or challenge him. He eventually reaches the edge of the box and fires his shot towards the top right corner, beating Forster and giving Swansea the lead their second half deserved.
This didn't stop Southampton though. They carried on pushing forward for what would now be an equaliser and in his haste to get the ball, Ryan Bertrand committed a foul that was deemed worthy of a red card. He goes completely over the top of the ball and takes out Modou Barrow. The referee reached straight for the card, despite Bertrand's protests, leaving Southampton with an even bigger mountain to climb.
However, it didn't look like it. Southampton carried on exactly the way they were before the sending off throughout stoppage time. The game became very scrappy and Swansea were camped out in their penalty box, but somehow they still managed to keep shut the door on any potential Southampton attacks.
So, that leaves Southampton in fourth, only one point behind United who beat Leicester yesterday and level on points with Arsenal, who they are only above because their goal difference is one higher. Swansea retain 9th position after Stoke had briefly gone above them yesterday due to a win. Could this be the game to turn Swansea's season around, allow them to climb the table and challenge for a place in Europe? I guess we'll soon find out...
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