Michael Duff | There were plenty of positives, the players gave everything

Head coach Michael Duff praised the performance of his Swansea City side, and felt they had just come out on the wrong end of some key moments after pushing Championship leaders Leicester City all the way at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The Swans eventually fell to a 3-1 defeat against the Foxes, but not after asking some searching questions of a side stacked with Premier League quality and experience who are the overwhelming favourites for promotion.

Skipper Matt Grimes had fired the Swans into the lead through a deflected strike as they defended with discipline and attacked with real energy against the promotion favourites.

They were pegged back just before the interval as Jannik Vestergaard fortuitously turned the ball in after a ricochet fell into his path, before Abdul Fatawu steered Leicester ahead just after the hour.

Kelechi Iheanacho then ensured an 11th win in 12 league games for the visitors with his effort four minutes from time.

It was harsh on the Swans, who had created further sights of goal through Jamal Lowe, Jerry Yates and Jamie Paterson, while Liam Cullen rattled the bar and Harry Darling headed just over.

And Duff saw plenty of positives to take forward despite being on the wrong end of the scoreline.

“I thought the performance was great, and it tells you everything that the players have been clapped off the field by the supporters,” said the Swans boss.

“They recognised that the players gave everything and in the end there were some big moments that did not go our way.

“They scored just before half-time from a ricochet, we have hit the crossbar, the keeper has made an unbelievable save when it is 2-1.

“We knew we would have to suffer in moments because they keep the ball so well, but we showed good organisation and the spirit was brilliant.

“We also showed some really good quality at times and there were plenty of positives to take from the performance and the atmosphere.

“The togetherness being shown is great, and it’s about staying in control emotionally now and making sure we keep improving and putting together this run of performances, because if you keep producing performances results will take care of themselves."