A HIGH NOON SHOWDOWN!
Swans head to Old Trafford now three points adrift of Hull after day of late drama that sees Sunderland go down
P AUL Clement’s Swansea City head into their High Noon showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford today facing a desperate battle to save their Premier League status.
The Swans could only look on yesterday as late drama unfolded at the Stadium of Light and St Mary’s which saw at least one issue resolved.
Josh King’s goal two minutes from time earned Bournemouth a 1-0 win at Sunderland, a result that saw the Black Cats relegated to the Championship for next season.
Meanwhile, on the south coast, Hull struck another huge blow in the battle for survival as they earned a precious point from a 0-0 draw with hosts Southampton.
The Saints had a chance to win it in stoppage time but Dusan Tadic’s tame penalty was saved by Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic.
All of which means the Tigers, fourth from bottom, extended their advantage over Swansea to three points ahead of their final three games of the campaign.
Second-bottom Middlesbrough are also in action today against Manchester City but they now trail Hull by seven points and look almost certain to be joining Sunderland in the final drop zone.
That leaves the Swans and Hull in a survival shootout and if Clement’s men can summon up a shock win today a slightly better goal difference would lift them above the Tigers.
United, ravaged by injuries after an arduous schedule of Premier League and Europa League matches, will be far from full-strength, but Clement does not believe Swansea’s task will be any the easier for that.
“When you play for a club of that size and with that expectancy in front of 75,000 supporters, they are expected to give their absolute best in every game,” said Clement.
“They have been playing Thursday and Sunday for many weeks now and they have an injury list which I’m sure the manager is not happy with.
“But we know it will not be easy. You always hope when you play a big team at their stadium that they have a slightly off-day and you have a chance.”
Eight games in 26 days have stretched Jose Mourinho’s squad to the limit, with United being hit particularly hard in central defence.
Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones have all been injured, while young defender Timothy FosuMensah suffered a shoulder injury in the closing stages of Thursday’s goalless draw with Manchester City.
Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Zlatan Ibrahimovic are also missing through injury and Marouane Fellaini is suspended after being sent off at the Etihad Stadium as United prepare for this week’s Europa League semi-final first-leg against Celta Vigo.
Full United v Swans preview in Sport on Sunday