We showed great character, says Monk
10th January
Garry Monk hailed his side's strength in character after the Swans fought back to earn a point against West Ham.
Monk's men drew 1-1 with the Hammers after Bafe Gomis' second-half header cancelled out Andy Carroll's opener in the first period.
Despite enjoying a bright start to proceedings, the hosts fell behind when Carroll curled home past Lukasz Fabianski before the break.
But the Swans were bright in the second-half and found the equaliser when Gomis met a Gylfi Sigurdsson corner with a towering header, which deflected in off Mark Noble.
West Ham pressed to restore their lead but were unable to find a way past Fabianski.
The result takes the Swans to 30 points after 21 games, and Monk was pleased with how his side fought back to earn a point.
"It was a hard game physically, which it always is against West Ham," said the Swans boss. "But apart from ten minutes in the first half, we controlled the game.
"Their goal came against the run of play, in which was probably during our best period. We gave Andy Carroll a bit too much space, which allowed him to shoot.
"But we showed great character in the second half. We were on the front foot and probed for the equaliser.
"We just needed to move the ball that little bit quicker. They defended a lot deeper and made it difficult, but the substitutions gave us a bit more cutting edge.
"We got the goal and then pushed for the second but, all-in-all, a draw was probably a fair result."
Goalscorer Gomis' 74th-minute equaliser was the French striker's third goal in two games after last weekend's brace against Tranmere Rovers.
And with a consistent run of games, Monk believes the 29-year-old will go from strength-to-strength.
He added: "It was a great delivery and a fantastic header from Bafe. He deserves that goal for his sheer work today. I think he just about covered every blade of grass.
"He's a top striker. He now has a perfect run in the team with Wilfried away at the African Cup of Nations.
"I think you saw today the quality he has, and I think you'll see an even better Bafe over the next few weeks."
Meanwhile, West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald felt the Hammers could have taken maximum points from a tightly fought encounter.
"We created chances, but didn't stick the ball in the back of the net to finish them off.
"But over the two games, we're pleased to take four points against a good team."
