31/12/2016 15:00 v Bournemouth

16th June

The Swans ended 2016 on a losing note as Bournemouth ran out 3-0 victors at the Liberty.

Two goals came in the first half as Benik Afobe tapped home from close range after Jordi Amat's attempted clearance deflected back out off Lukasz Fabianski and into the path of the striker.

The Cherries doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time as Ryan Fraser guided home Junior Stanislas' sublime pass.

Sub Josh King then wrapped up a comfortable away win for the visitors as he latched onto a through ball before slotting past Fabianski.

The Swans, led by Alan Curtis and Paul Williams following Bob Bradley's exit, end the year in bottom spot with 12 points from 19 games.

Despite creating some early chances, with Fernando Llorente heading just wide, the Swans gifted Bournemouth an opening goal.

It came via Jordi Amat's attempted clearance from a cross which sliced goalwards before striking Lukasz Fabianski, and Benik Afobe tapped home from close range.

It could have got even worse as Junior Stanislas' free-kick flashed along the face of goal before the midfielder's next set-piece effort was kept out by Fabianski.

The Swans made a change as they gave themselves more width, with Modou Barrow replacing Leroy Fer. But it mattered little, as the Cherries continued to control the match.

They looked hungry for a second, and they got just that seconds after having seen Stanislas's effort ruled offside.

Stanislas found himself in on goal down the right, but his fine pass under pressure was perfect for Ryan Fraser, and he guided the ball into the net on the stroke of half-time.

The Swans needed a big response in the second half to claw themselves back into a game which Bournemouth were controlling.

But Eddie Howe's side were not to waste their advantage, and they held onto their lead without too much trouble.

In fact, it was the Cherries who looked more likely to grab the game's third goal.

The lively Stanislas drove a dangerous cross along the face of goal before Afobe wasted a decent opportunity when he skied his shot over following a swift counter.

The striker was then denied by Fabianski after the Polish stopper raced out to deflect his effort wide.

At the other end, sub Oli McBurnie rose highest to head Gylfi Sigurdsson's corner goalwards, and keeper Artur Boruc had to be quick to collect the loose ahead of Ki Sung-Yueng.

Then, with a minute left of the 90, Bournemouth signed off with another goal to round off a miserable afternoon for the Swans.

King raced onto a through ball and he calmly slotted past the advancing Fabianski.

 


SWANS: Lukasz Fabianski, Kyle Naughton, Jordi Amat, Alfie Mawson, Neil Taylor, Leon Britton (capt, Jack Cork, 66), Ki Sung-Yueng, Leroy Fer (Modou Barrow, 38), Gylfi Sigurdsson, Nathan Dyer, Fernando Llorente (Oli McBurnie, 57).
SUBS: Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Angel Rangel, Federico Fernandez, Borja.

BOURNEMOUTH: Artur Boruc, Simon Francis (capt), Steve Cook, Nathan Ake, Andrew Surman (Dan Gosling, 89), Harry Arter, Benik Afobe, Charlie Daniels, Junior Stanislas (Adam Smith, 73), Ryan Fraser (Joshua King, 73), Jack Wilshere.
SUBS: Adam Federici, Callum Wilson, Tyrone Mings, Jordon Ibe.