Bilic isn’t panicking over losing top spot

SLAVEN BILIC called for calm heads after seeing his West Bromwich Albion side surrender top spot at Swansea.

The Baggies’ creative stars failed to spark, but Bilic believes his men are still in prime position to reclaim their Premier League status with nine games to go.

‘It’s good to get the clean sheet and to more or less control the game,’ he said. ‘I’d love to be in top spot but it doesn’t worry me. And the gap to third place is significant, it’s big enough not to panic.’

It was Swansea, however, who carved out the best chances. Notably, Rhian Brewster was denied by a last-ditch Kyle Bartley challenge after starting a sweeping move.

Matt Grimes almost undid all the home side’s good defensive work when he turned into trouble on the edge of his box. The midfielder gifted possession to Callum Robinson and had Freddie Woodman to thank for sparing his blushes after the keeper got a strong hand to the ball to parry the danger away.

After surviving to half-time, the hosts should have been ahead 40 seconds into the second period. Grimes fired a shot from 25 yards that was parried into the path of Jay Fulton, but he sli ced t he rebound over the bar from 12 yards before finding the stands again moments later.

West Brom’s Jake Livermore had a late chance to win it when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box, but the midfielder fired over to ensure the game ended goalless with West Brom slipping to second for the first time in more than a month.

‘We’re down a place and a point closer to the play-offs — that sums up the Championship, doesn’t it?’ said Swansea boss Steve Cooper.