Report | Swansea City 1 Blackpool 1

20th November
First team
Joel Piroe

Swansea City were denied a fifth home win in a row as Keshi Anderson's late goal ensured the spoils were shared at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Joel Piroe looked to have settled the contest with a magnificent right-footed effort 10 minutes before the break, finding the top corner in emphatic fashion for his 11th goal of the season.

The Swans also saw Ethan Laird have two penalty appeals waved away, while Ben Hamer was largely unworked in goal until Anderson netted after a corner was only punched as far as the midfielder's feet.

Head coach Martin had made one enforced change to his starting line-up as Ben Cabango came in for the suspended Ryan Bennett in defence.

The Swans, buoyed by the announcement of a new long-term contract for skipper Matt Grimes in the lead up, started brightly with Olivier Ntcham testing Daniel Grimshaw in the Blackpool goal from range.

The hosts did have a let off when they were caught napping as Blackpool took a short corner, but the final delivery was poor.

Matt Grimes

Ntcham then produced a lovely pass to send Piroe in behind, but Marvin Ekpiteta did well to deny the Dutchman a clean chance to finish as he bore down on goal and Grimshaw was able to smother.

Jerry Yates hit a tame show at Ben Hamer before Laird had his first penalty appeal turned down as he and Reece James tangled surging into the box.

Ntcham looked a particular threat for the hosts and he produced a superb pirouette and feint to evade four would-be tacklers and nearly feed Laird in behind.

But the Swans did take the lead through a magnificent strike from Piroe.

The striker was fed by Ntcham, who shrugged off a challenge before squaring the ball inside. Piroe shifted onto his right foot and launched an unerring strike beyond a statuesque Grimshsaw into the top corner.

It was an advantage the Swans retained comfortably until the break, and they went in search of a second goal early in the second half.

And they should have had a penalty four minutes after the resumption as James Husband trod on Laird’s foot as he spun away from him in the box, but referee Keith Stroud was again unmoved.

But the visitors had a better spell from that moment with Callum Connolly having a shot blocked and Jake Bidwell making a terrific clearing header under pressure at the back post.

Ethan Laird

Swansea responded, Jamie Paterson so nearly threading the ball through the eye of a needle for Piroe.

But Blackpool were having their best spell of the game and Neil Critchley sent on Josh Bowler and Shayne Lavery as he looked to capitalise, while Martin introduced Michael Obafemi and Korey Smith in place of Piroe and Ntcham.

However, Anderson kept his composure when a Hamer punch came to him, and he guided the ball past the retreating keeper.

Swansea City: Ben Hamer; Ben Cabango, Kyle Naughton, Ryan Manning; Ethan Laird, Flynn Downes, Matt Grimes (captain), Jake Bidwell; Olivier Ntcham (Korey Smith 75), Jamie Paterson; Joel Piroe (Michael Obafemi 71).

Substitutes: Steven Benda, Liam Cullen, Joel Latibeaudiere, Liam Walsh, Rhys Williams.

Blackpool: Daniel Grimshaw; Dujon Sterling, Marvin Ekpiteta (captain), James Husband; Jordan Gabriel, Callum Connolly (Owen Dale 81), Ryan Wintle, Reece James; Demetri Mitchell (Josh Bowler 66), Keshi Anderson; Jerry Yates (Shayne Lavery 71).

Substitutes: Stuart Moore, Kenny Dougall, Gary Madine, Daniel Gretarsson.

Referee: Keith Stroud