THE TALKING POINTS FROM THE SWANS’ CAPITULATION AT THE LANE
SWANSEA City were sent crashing back to earth and the bottom of the Premier League after a thumping 5-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
The game turned when referee Jon Moss gave a controversial penalty after Dele Alli appeared to dive to allow Harry Kane to score a 40th-minute opener.
But Son Heung-Min, Kane again and a Christian Eriksen brace all added to the score with Swansea failing to force a save from Hugo Lloris.
Swansea had offered little in attack aside from a few hopeful counters, but their hopes of building on a first half where they had frustrated the hosts were in tatters five minutes from the break.
As Alli raced to the ball on the edge of the area, he beat Naughton but seemed to dive in anticipation of contact – with Moss taking his time but eventually pointing to the spot.
Kane sent Fabianski the wrong way and, five minutes later, Son had made it two when he acrobatically converted Eriksen’s cross. AWFUL DECISION FOR OPENING GOAL No-one would kid themselves into believing Spurs were not firmly on top in this contest, but Swansea were doing a decent job of frustrating their hosts before the opener from the spot.
Bob Bradley had talked about his side needing a change of luck, but there was little evidence of a change in fortune when Jon Moss pointed to the spot six minutes before the break.
Dele Alli threw himself to the deck – with no apparent contact from Kyle Naughton – and Harry Kane did the rest.
It was an awful decision, and Swansea’s fragile confidence could not weather the blow to the solar plexus. Son’s excellent second meant this game was over by the time the teams headed down the tunnel at the interval. CRUMBLING AFTER GOING BEHIND No matter what positives you want to cling to – if there are any - Swansea will not stay up if they continue to ship goals in the manner they are.
It is now 18 goals in seven games since Bradley took charge, 30 in total – the worst in the Premier League.
Some of it is bad defending, some of it has been luck, but too much of it has been the team crumbling once they have gone behind.
The basics in such circumstances are about being hard to beat – Swansea are just plain soft. MONTERO FAILS TO IMPRESS This was a big opportunity for Montero. He has had to wait his time due to injury but Bob Bradley wanted his pace to try and ensure there was no easy ride for Tottenham’s attack-happy full-backs.
Yet, the Ecuador international lacked the energy displayed by Mo Barrow on the other flank.
While Barrow at last asked questions of Danny Rose, Montero – one driving run aside – never threatened to make Kyle Walker question the wisdom of his attacking instincts. PRESSURE BUILDING AT THE LIBERTY It is cup final time again at the Liberty.
The last thing any side wants is to feel they are under pressure every time they step out onto the pitch, but Swansea have brought this upon themselves and – having moved bottom once more – the visit of the Black Cats has as much make or break feel to it as Palace, perhaps more so. Unfortunately, there is no time for talking about performances or progression, points is all that matters and winning is a must.