Jack Cork: Everton can be Swansea City turning point
20th November
Jack Cork reckons Swansea City have turned a corner - just as they did last season - ahead of next weekend's crunch clash with Crystal Palace.
The Swans were left frustrated at Everton yesterday having been denied what would have been only a second Premier League win of the season by Seamus Coleman's 89th-minute goal.
Bob Bradley's men had led since Gylfi Sigurdsson scored from the spot four minutes before half-time and, though they had to do plenty of defending after the break, they looked set to keep the Blues at bay.
Coleman's late strike meant a creditable draw felt almost as painful as a defeat.
But Cork reckons the Everton performance could be a landmark in the Swans' season, just as their last-gasp loss at Manchester City was last term.
The Swans had seemed set to claim a fine 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium last December only for Kelechi Iheanacho's deflected shot to win it for City in stoppage time.
Despite that hammer blow, Alan Curtis's team then went on a three-game unbeaten run which was the start of their climb away from relegation danger.
And Cork hopes the Everton draw may provide a similar spark this time around.
"We were all a little disappointed after the game because we felt like we should have won," the Swans midfielder said.
"We had a good first half and in the second half it was always going to be difficult as the away side.
"It was very similar to the game at Everton last year, except last year we held on and this year we didn't quite manage it unfortunately.
"But it was a good performance. We had a game a bit like this last year at Manchester City.
"We lost that when it looked like we were going to get a good draw, but after that game we managed to kick on and get some good performances and some points.
"Hopefully this can be a bit of a kickstart for us this season. We have the big home game against Crystal Palace next week and hopefully we can get going.
"We had a very similar spell last year and then the Manchester City game spurred us on.
"We know in the dressing room we were better at Everton. We need to keep going like that - be more aggressive and more confident in the games we have coming up."
Everton's leveller means the Swans are now bottom of the Premier League after Sunderland saw off Hull City yesterday.
All eyes now turn to next Saturday's home game against 16th-placed Palace.
"We need everyone together and we must work for each other," Cork added.
"Hopefully that will get the crowd going and get us through to three points.
"We could hear the fans throughout the game at Everton. They were great for us.
"We are just sorry we couldn't come away with three points for them.
"We have to stick together now and work hard in the next game, just as we did against Everton. Hopefully then the rewards will come."