In a game lacking real quality in the final third of both boxes, the visitors had the better of the chances as the Swans fell short.
Emanuel Latte Lath’s first-half penalty would be the statistic that counted in the end, however, after Azeem Abdulai had clumsily brought down winger Isaiah Jones in the penalty area mid-way through the first-half.
The Swans grew into the game at the Riverside Stadium but despite a lively showing from debutant Eom Ji-Sung would not trouble home goalkeeper Seny Deing.
Jones had further chances for Middlesbrough to wrap the game up in the second-half but a lack of composure from the attacker would let the Swans off the hook. Despite a late rally, the score would remain the same to the game’s conclusion with the Swans boss an unhappy man.
“I think we started the game really poorly and it really got away from us in that period,” said Williams after the match.
“We did not really get a foothold until we had given away the penalty, then we tried to control the game more but there were still too many openings for the opposition.
“They were value for the win today. I am disappointed, but we have a long way to go.
“We were better in the second half and if it had been 0-0 and we start to dominate the game and control the game it is a different feeling.
“But we were chasing the game, and we did not create enough clear-cut openings at all, and they still managed to hit us on the break.
“There are plenty of things we need to improve. We will go back to Fairwood and train for a couple of days now and try to recover correctly and prepare for the next opposition.”
The Swans next host Gillingham in round one of the League Cup on Tuesday night, before welcoming Preston North End to the Swansea.com Stadium in seven days time.
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
