Leon programmes stars for survival

after Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic had missed a penalty.

With Hull winning, Swansea remain in the bottom three. But it was three valuable points in their quest to remain in the top flight for another season.

Britton added: “It’s pretty clear it’s between Hull and us. It has been for a few weeks. Hopefully it will go right to the wire and it will be us that stay up.”

It was Britton’s first start since Clement took over the managerial reins from Bob Bradley.

He added: “I was just delighted to be back out there. It’s been three or four months without playing. It has been quite frustrating.

“I’ve been trying to help the team in any way I can off the field but it was nice to be back out on the pitch.”

Unscathed

The only satisfaction for Stoke boss Mark Hughes was England goalkeeper Jack Butland emerging unscathed from his first appearance in over 13 months.

The 24-year-old had not featured since fracturing his ankle on international duty in Germany in March 2016, an injury which required two operations to correct.

“Jack did okay,” said Hughes after preferring Butland to Lee Grant. “It’s important for him and us that he is sound leading into next year.

“We can’t have the situation we had last year when we thought he was okay in pre-season and then he broke down on the eve of the new season starting.

“It’s important that we’re all comfortable that he’s back and ready to go into pre-season. It’s no reflection on Lee that Jack started.

“It was always my intention that Jack would, and he will probably play next weekend as well.”