Monk happy with improved performance

19th September

Garry Monk was encouraged by his side's improved performance after they played out a goalless draw against Everton.

In an end-to-end encounter at the Liberty Stadium, both sides had chances to take home maximum points as Bafe Gomis and Romelu Lukaku went close for their respective sides, while Kevin Mirallas was sent off late on.

Gomis skewed wide of Tim Howard's goal in the first half, before Lukaku missed the best of Everton's chances early on in the second.

Mirallas received his marching orders in the 90th minute for a studs-up challenge on substitute Modou Barrow in the 90th minute, but with so little time left of play, the Swans were unable to benefit from their one-man advantage. 

And despite the 0-0 stalemate, Monk was satisfied with a share of the spoils.


"It was very even," reflected the Swans boss. "We had chances and they had chances, but I think both teams will be happy with a point. 

"I thought it was an entertaining game and a good advert for Premier League football. Both teams went for it and both teams defended well.

"I felt it was a good performance. If you can't win a game, you have to make sure you don't lose it, which is what we should have done last week.

"It was like day and night between today's performance and last week's.

"I could be disappointed that we didn't take our chances, but I think you have to be realistic because both defences did really well.

"Everton have some great players, but we showed we are at least on an even keel with them."

Meanwhile, Everton boss Roberto Martinez was pleased with his side's performance but disappointed that they couldn't take maximum points back to Merseyside.



"The first half was very level - we cancelled each other out - and we needed to be a bit more aggressive. 

"But I was pleased with our second half performance; We created a lot of chances.

"We created enough chances to score, so we are disappointed not to take any of them, but overall the performance was satisfying."