Boro took an early lead thanks to full back Alex Bangura’s powerful finish, but the goalscorer turned from hero to zero, giving away the first of two Swansea spot-kicks, which would be clinically converted by Zan Vipotnik.
Championship top scorer Vipotnik’s second penalty of a chaotic contest gave Swansea a 2-1 lead just before the break after visiting goalkeeper Sol Brynn brought down Eom Jisung.
But Middlesbrough deservedly took something from the game thanks to hard-working forward Tommy Conway, who rattled home from the spot 15 minutes from time after Eom was adjudged to have brought down full back Callum Brittain.
The result sees Boro miss out on moving back into the automatic promotion placings and remain in third place in the Championship standings, whilst the Swans remain in 15th place in a jam-packed mid-section of the table.
Matos feels his side deserved a point against one of the top sides in the league and that his team’s work rate was a contributing factor to the reward.
“I think it was a fair result between two teams who are in different moments,” said Matos post-match.
“We needed to put in a proper performance in terms of mentality and mindset and stay concentrated until the last moment.
“We needed to control the game without the ball, getting compact, getting the right timings, the right positions, the right organisation.
“We knew Middlesbrough are a really good team with the ball, with a lot of individual technique in all positions, which can hurt you.
“With two games [over the long weekend] and all the internationals arriving last Thursday, you need first to be organised and compact, and then you can put pressure and be effective.
“That’s what we tried and then when we had the ball, we tried to use it to create some good chances.
“We needed to use counter-attacks, and for that, some players were really important. I think overall it was a good game.”
Matos also had words of praise for Sam Parker, after the young stand-in full-back caught the eye in his first Championship start in over two years.
“I love Sam, he has a beautiful mindset and real offensive quality and pace,” added Matos.
“He needs to keep improving, but he is a wonderful kid and as a club we want to have players from the academy coming through and being part of the group.
“That’s what we want for the future, sometimes it is about opportunities at the right moments, and I am really happy for him.”
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
