Despite having numerous opportunities and Eom Ji-Sung striking the woodwork, both goalkeepers would be the stars of the show making crucial saves in big moments to deny a breakthrough.
It was a much better showing from the Swans who would improve on the statistic of the side with the least attempts at goal in the Championship. Head coach Luke Williams would have been pleased with his side’s efforts but not for the first time this season the Swans would be hanging on at the end with a vital goal line clearance from Ben Cabango saving the day.
The Swans would come into the game looking to bounce back from their 1-0 mid-week defeat to promotion-chasing Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Wednesday night.
A lack of cutting-edge in the final third from Williams’ side would be punished by the home side with full back Josh Tymon putting through his own net on the stroke of half-time under pressure a decisive moment which would give the Blades all three points.
Sheffield had further chances in the second half to extend the lead but failed to convert leaving the Swans with a chance of salvaging something from the game. Williams’ side though would be unable to snatch a late equaliser despite a spirited late rally.
In response, the former Notts County head coach named a side showing two changes to face a Stoke side full of confidence after a 6-1 win over Portsmouth in midweek.
Gonçalo Franco coming back into midfield for Jay Fulton, whilst forward Žan Vipotnik would be charged with leading the line. Welsh international Liam Cullen would return to the bench after missing the last two encounters with illness.
It would be the home side who would enjoy the better of the opening stages. Mercurial winger Ronald with the first opportunity of the match smashing an effort from the penalty spot from Matt Grimes’ put in to draw a splendid one-handed save from visiting goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.
The Swans would play with greater purpose and threat than in their previous two Championship encounters and would come near to breaking the deadlock minutes later.
Full back Tymon finding space with an overlapping run on the left before cutting back inside to curl an in-swinging cross onto the head of Franco. The Portuguese midfielder, however, would be only able to guide his finish wide of the far post when well-placed.
The visitors would look dangerous on the counter attack and would pick their moments in offense whilst the Swans were higher up the field. Lively Korean winger Jun-ho would be the instigator first to find a sight at the Swans goal after racing into space on the left, but his low effort would find Lawrence Vigouroux in fine form to save low.
It would be the Swans who would look the more likely to break the first-half deadlock with Harry Darling heading straight into Johansson’s arms from a set-piece scenario, whilst Ronald would snatch at an effort after a moment of magic.
Williams’ side thought they had the lead on the stroke of half-time with their own Korean magic man Eom crashing a powerful effort against the underside of the crossbar. The stubborn Stoke backline though would clear and would find themselves level at the break despite the Swans dominance.
The second period would start much like the first with the Swans playing on the front-foot. A neat move seeing Josh Key taking on his man on the right before sending a sumptuous cross onto the head of Vipotnic. The Slovenian striker’s theatrical diving header pulling out an equally camera-worthy stop from Johansson as Williams’ side continued to look for a breakthrough.
The chances would keep coming but the Swans would struggle to take the game by the scruff of the neck Darling heading over Grimes free kick over the bar.
Stoke would always be in the games with the scoreline level and after a spate of substitutions from both sides, the Potters would finish the game the stronger. The scorer of four goals in midweek Tom Cannon only denied by a goal-line clearance by Ben Cabango as the Swans would find themselves hanging on at the death.
It would remain goalless with the Swans moving up one place to 11th place in the Championship table ahead of the international break.
Swansea City X1
Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Tymon, Josh Key, Harry Darling, Ben Cabango, Matt Grimes (captain), Gonçalo Franco (Jay Fulton 82), Ollie Cooper (Myles Peart-Harris 76), Ji-Sung Eom (Florian Bianchini 76), Ronald (Azeem Abdulai 76), Žan Vipotnik (Liam Cullan 64).
Stoke City X1
Viktor Johansson, Ben Wilmot, Enda Stevens, Michael Rose, Ben Gibson (captain), Andrew Moran, Wouter Burger (Jordan Thompson 52), Lewis Koumas (Million Manhoef 52), Sam Gallagher (Emre Tezgel 85), Bae Jun-Ho (André Vidigal 65), Thomas Cannon.
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
