SEASON REVIEW: Part three

In the final part of our seasonal review, we count down the final few months of the campaign as the Swans ensured Premier League football for a sixth season.



FEBRUARY
After victories over Watford and Everton, the Swans were seconds away of a third consecutive win at West Brom.
Debutant Alberto Paloschi played a part in the opening goal as Gylfi Sigurdsson coolly slotted home from close range.
But the Jack Army's hearts were broken in added-on time as Salomon Rondon fired in during a goalmouth scramble to deny the visitors.
Sigurdsson was on target again - his fifth in six games - as the Swans continued their momentum when Crystal Palace visited the Liberty.
It ended all square, with Scott Dann cancelling out Sigurdsson's sublime free-kick, but the Swans moved onto four games unbeaten.
That run came to an end on home soil, though, as Southampton edged a close encounter 1-0 at the Liberty.
Another loss at Tottenham - despite Paloschi giving the Swans the lead with his first goal for the club - meant Guidolin's side sat three points above the dropzone.




MARCH
Staying in North London, a midweek trip to Arsenal signalled a significant result for the Swans.
Six changes were made to the starting XI, including a Premier League debut for Stephen Kingsley and a first start for the club for loanee Leroy Fer.
Although Guidolin missed the game due to illness, the changes paid off as the refreshed Swans came from a goal behind to claim another famous victory at the Emirates courtesy of goals from Wayne Routledge and Ashley Williams.
Now six points clear of the bottom three, the next fixture was a massive one in terms of the Swans' survival hopes.
And Sigurdsson proved the difference once again as his strike moved the Swans nine points clear with nine games to play.
A 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth, which included a first Premier League goal for Modou Barrow, stalled the progress slightly but the Swans were quickly back to winning ways.
Federico Fernandez struck his first goal for the club in a 1-0 win over bottom side Aston Villa at the Liberty in a month that conjured three wins from four games.




APRIL
April kicked off with a tough trip to Stoke City, who were just five points off the Champions League positions ahead of kick off.
And the Potter appeared on course for another victory at the Britannia Stadium as they led 2-0 approaching the hour mark.
But the Swans rolled their sleeves up to claim a point as Sigurdsson pulled one back before sub Paloschi levelled with 11 minutes remaining.
It was a useful point for the Swans, who then hosted defending champions Chelsea.
And that man Sigurdsson was again on the scoresheet as he handed the Swans their first ever Premier League win over the Blues.
His ninth goal in 14 games moved the Swans onto 40 points for the season with Guidolin's side up to 12th.
Two away trips - and two defeats - signed off the month as Newcastle United boosted their survival hopes with a 3-0 win while Leicester City moved one step towards the title with a convincing 4-0 victory.




MAY
After consecutive defeats, the Swans were determined to bounce back and end the season on a positive note.
That's exactly what they did, starting with Liverpool's visit to the Liberty.
Jurgen Klopp's side were brushed aside 3-1 as a brace from Andre Ayew and the goal-of-the-season from Jack Cork as the Swans mathematically secured their top-flight status.
Buoyed by their impressive display and result, Guidolin's side backed that up with a sensational victory at West Ham.
In the Hammers' penultimate game at the Boleyn Ground, the Swans romped to a 4-1 win courtesy of goals from Wayne Routledge, Andre Ayew, Ki Sung-Yueng and Bafe Gomis.
Days later, Guidolin's future at the Liberty was secured as he signed a new two-year deal to remain in charge.
The final fixture saw Manchester City arrive in South Wales in what was Manuel Pellegrini's final game in charge.
The visitors were looking over their shoulders as they faced competition off rivals Manchester United for the final Champions League spot.
And a 1-1 draw was enough for them to remain fourth on goal difference, while Ayew's 12th of the season - making him the club's top scorer in his debut campaign - moved the Swans onto 47 points and a 12th-placed finish.