Zan Vipotnik’s 11th league goal of the season had given the Swans the lead early in the first half, but they could not find the killer touch as they hit the woodwork on three occasions through Goncalo Franco, Ronald, and Liam Cullen.
Birmingham, who had chances of their own, equalised midway through the second-half through Patrick Roberts powerful close-range effort. But whilst both side’s pilled forward to force a winner in the closing stages, the scores would remain level at the conclusion with the points shared.
Having won their last four league fixtures at SA1 under head coach Vitor Matos, the Swans would look to continue their positive trajectory up the Championship table, despite continued troubles on the road.
Looking to bounce back from the disappointment of a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Millwall in their last league encounter, Matos’ side would be boosted by the return to fitness of forward Cullen.
The Wales international took his place among the replacements as the Portuguese would make three changes to their starting XI. Regular goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux and centre back Cameron Burgess would return, whilst Jay Fulton, who scored the winner in the 1-0 victory over West Brom on New Year’s Day, would gain a recall.
Starting the day in 14th place in the table, two points above the Swans, visitors Birmingham, meanwhile, would head to South Wales without a league win on their travels since October.
However, a home victory against Championship leaders Coventry City last time out halted a seven-game winless streak for Chris Davies’ side.
The former Swans assistant manager would make two changes to his lineup, bringing in defender Christoph Klarar and playmaker Kyogo Furuhashi, with star forward Jay Stansfield dropping to the bench, having been carrying a knock into the game.
It would be the visiting side who would start the brightest. Neat build-up play, seeing forward Marvin Ducksch found on the edge of the box, before the German international’s snap shot would fizz wide of the post.
The Swans would settle and would create the games first meaningful moment. Top scorer Vipotnik showing good strength to hold the ball up before releasing Eom Ji-Sung to force a smart save from goalkeeper James Beadle.
Minutes later, however, there would be no mistake as the Swans would open the scoring. Beadle standing no chance on this occasion with Franco’s pinpoint cross finding Vipotnik to power a first-time finish into the back of the net.
With the vocal crowd roaring on the home side, the Swans would nearly double their lead after a spell of possession. Beadle, saving his side, getting a hand on Franco’s drive to push onto the crossbar, before captain Ben Cabango would be guilty of missing a good opportunity heading Eom’s corner over the crossbar from close-range.
At the heart of the action, Franco would be industrious in midfield, helping his side win the physical battle, whilst offering a creative outlet. Brazilian Ronald, this time supplied, but unable to finish, smashing the ball high and wide of the Birmingham goal.
With the break approaching and the visitors just a goal behind, Birmingham would remind the Swans of their own attacking prowess. On loan Liverpool winger Lewis Koumas’ cutback finding Patrick Roberts on the edge of the box. The midfielder’s shot, however, would lack the composure to test home goalkeeper Vigouroux.
Roberts would then turn supplier as the Blues finished the half stronger, sending a wicked ball across the box after neat one-touch passing from the Brum midfield had made space around the Swansea box. A frustrated Kyogo Furuhashi, though unable to find a touch.
The game would continue to be an open and entertaining contest. The Swans looking to extend their advantage seeing Ronald once more coming close. The winger though wondering how he hadn’t found the back of the net, smashing a guilt-edged chance against the woodwork after the Blues defense had failed to clear a corner.
Birmingham would push and would eventually make the home side pay for their lack of clinical edge in front of goal. Full back Kai Wagner producing an early cross from the left, which would be flicked into the path of Roberts to fire home powerfully via the woodwork from an acute angle.
With their tails up, and looking to catch the Swans cold, Birmingham would test the home side’s resolve with substitute Stansfield testing Vigouroux at full strength.
But in a topsy-turvy few minutes, the Swans would nearly sway the tide once more. Substitute Cullen, the latest to rattle the visiting crossbar, heading Josh Tymon’s excellent cross against the woodwork.
The game would continue to be on a knife-edge, with the next goal sure to be a winner. Both sides would be end-to-end but could not find a winning strike as the final whistle would be blown.
Swansea City XI
Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Tymon, Ethan Galbraith, Ben Cabango (captain), Cameron Burgess, Melker Widell (Malik Yalcoye 68), Eom Ji-sung (Zeidane Inoussa 77), Marko Stamenic, Goncalo Franco (Joel Ward 83), Jay Fulton, Ronald, Zan Vipotnic (Liam Cullen 67).
Birmingham City XI
James Beadle, Tomoki Iwata (captain), Kai Wagner, Phil Neumann, Christoph Klarer, Tommy Doyle, Paik Seung-Ho, Patrick Roberts, Kyogo Furuhashi (Jay Stansfield 45), Lewis Koumas, Marvin Ducksch (Willum Willumsson 85).
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
