SWANS: Honours even as Swansea held at home by Sheffield United

In a game of few chances, Swansea City played out a goalless draw with Sheffield United in this afternoon’s Championship clash at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Both sides lacked the cutting edge to break down their opponents, with both goalkeepers largely untested in a disappointing contest.

Visiting midfielder Callum O’Hare’s effort struck the crossbar late in the first half, but that would be the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock.

Swansea made one change, with Adam Idah, who scored the winner at Stoke last weekend, starting in place of last season’s top scorer Zan Vipotnik.

New signing Ross Stewart was named on the bench for the first time since joining the club earlier in the month.

Sheffield United arrived on the back of a goalless draw with Birmingham, looking to improve on last season’s start, when they lost their first six fixtures.

After an even opening played in glorious sunshine, the home side showed the most intent, with new signings Moussa Yeo and Joseph Opoku lively in the final third but unable to test visiting goalkeeper Michael Cooper.

That would continue, as the Swans showed intent but struggled to break down a stubborn Blades rearguard.

United came the closest, hitting the woodwork with a rare foray into the Swansea final third. O’Hare blasted against the crossbar having wriggled free in the box from Sydie Peck’s lay-off, but both sides would feel they needed an extra gear after the break to make a breakthrough.

While the Swans continued to dictate the possession statistics in the second half, the visitors looked the more likely to score, with set-pieces their most potent weapon.

Industrious as ever, the Swans plugged away, with the hardworking Idah picking out Yeo for a rare opening at the far post, but the winger’s low effort was off target and easily cleared away from danger.

Blades midfielder Joe Rothwell’s corner then created a rare sight at goal for the visitors, finding captain Japhet Tanganga free at the back post, but the centre-half could only head over the crossbar.

Stewart’s introduction with ten minutes remaining gave the home crowd their first sight of the striker signed from Southampton this month.

A late flurry of pressure saw a low drive crash against the base of the post, flagged offside, as the Swans searched for a winner, but the scores remained goalless as both sides shared a point apiece.

With four points from six the Swans sit seventh, and next travel to 18th-placed Derby County next weekend, where the Rams will be looking for their first victory of the campaign.

Sheffield United drop to 15th after their second successive Championship draw.

Swansea City XI

Lawrence Vigouroux, Filip Lissah, Ben Cabango (c) (Josh Key 66), Stephen Welsh, Josh Tymon, Jay Fulton (Ross Stewart 80), Marko Stamenic, Joseph Opoku, Elijah Just (Melker Widell 66), Moussa Yeo (Jisung Eom 60), Adam Idah (Zan Vipotnik 60).

Sheffield United XI

Michael Cooper, Femi Seriki, Japhet Tanganga (c), Mark McGuinness, Sam McCallum, Joe Rothwell, Sydie Peck, Oliver Arblaster (Jamie Shackleton 89), Harrison Burrows (Rhys Norrington-Davies 89), Callum O’Hare, Patrick Bamford (Tyrese Campbell 77).

Author

Richard Bond

Swansea-based sports journalist.
Twitter: @RichBond00
Email: RichardBond@swanseabaynews.com