In a close-fought contest that lacked a clinical edge in the final third from both sides substitute Tom Fellows second-half effort looked to have been enough to take the points for the visitors. Substitute Allen though would have other ideas and scored his first of the season to give his side a share of the spoils.
The Swans would come into the game smarting from their heaviest defeat of the season. A 4-0 thumping on the south coast against Portsmouth certainly not the start Williams had in mind for the New Year having enjoyed a strong festive period.
Back-to-back home wins over Queens Park Rangers Luton Town had moved the Swans within touching distance of the play-off placings. Still, the disappointing outing at Fratton Park highlighted the inconsistencies in display the Swans will need to eliminate to make inroads into the Championship’s top-six.
Up next for the Swans would be managerless West Bromwich Albion, a side coming into the fixture holding the final play-off position after a 3-1 victory over Preston in midweek.
Despite Albion’s strong form in the black country, Williams’ side would take heart from the Baggies struggles on the road with just one win in their previous ten outings, whilst south Wales would be an unlucky hunting ground for the visitors with the Swans victories in seven of the last nine meetings.
Williams would be dealt the blow of losing key centre half Ben Cabango with a groin injury in the lead-up to the early kick-off with Cyrus Christie making a rare start as one of four changes.
Josh Key returned after being rested against Pompey, whilst Gonçalo Franco and Žan Vipotnik would also be amongst the former Notts County bosses X1. Veteran Joe Allen would be amongst the replacements once more having stepped up his return after missing the entire festive period with a muscular problem.
The Baggies would welcome back captain Jed Wallace, whilst former Swan Kyle Bartley would be amongst a strong visiting bench.
On a dry but chilly afternoon, it would be the home side who would blow off the early kick-off cobwebs and create the game’s first opportunity. Eom’s left-wing cross picking out Liam Cullen. The Welsh international forward though would be unable to control his header which would sail over the crossbar.
After an even first quarter with few and far chances between the two sides, the Albion would see the encounters first shot on target. Midfielder Jayson Molumby – the scorer of the winner at the Hawthorns back in August – would launch a rasping deflected drive from 25-yards which home goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux would tip around the post.
The former Burnley stopper would be the busier of the two keepers as the visitors would end the half stronger. Diving low saves denying West Brom top scorer Josh Maja and captain Wallace, whilst the Swans number one would be alert to stop burley forward Karlan Grant’s tame header from close range.
Cullen would come close dragging a low effort just wide of the post in first-half stoppage-time as the scores would remain level.
The second half would start cautiously as both sides would look for an opening but would be resolute at the back to cancel out each other’s forays into the opponent’s final third.
The visitors would look the more likely of the two sides and would break the deadlock in the 65th minute. Substitute Fellows picking up Mullumby’s pass on the right-hand side before squeezing a low left-footed effort into the corner past Vigouroux from the edge of the penalty area.
The Swans responded with Williams throwing on the scorer of the winner of the last home match Myles Peart-Harris. It would be the on-loan Brentford midfielder who would turn creator and nod down a ball over the top of the Albion defense to Josh Tymon. The fullback’s fizzing effort would be straight into the grateful hands of visiting goalkeeper Alex Palmer.
As time would run out just when the points looked like they had escaped Williams’ side the Swans would grab a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage-time. Allen’s looping header from Ronald’s cross evading Palmer to hit the back of the net and earn a crucial point for his side.
That would be the final blow of a game lacking quality but would be enough to keep the Swans just about in touch as they remain in 12th – six points behind Albion who remain in sixth place.
Swansea City X1
Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Tymon, Josh Key, Harry Darling, Cyrus Christie (Kyle Naughton 74), Matt Grimes (captain), Gonçalo Franco (Joe Allen 87), Ronald, Eom Ji-Sung (Myles Peart Harris 74), Liam Cullen (Azzem Abdulai 87), Žan Vipotnik (Florian Bianchini 56).
West Bromwich Albion X1
Alex Palmer, Darnell Furlong, Callum Styles, Torbjørn Heggem, Mason Holgate, Jayson Molumby, Ousmane Diakité (Alex Mowatt 56), Jed Wallace (captain) (Tom Fellows 56), Mikey Johnston (John Swift 65), Karlan Grant (Grady Diangana 80), Josh Maja (Devante Cole 80).
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
