...AND COULD THE SWANS STILL PULL IT OFF, TOO?
IT started and ended with a roar and it could prove to be the day Swansea City made the decisive move in this Premier League survival race.
The anxiety was palpable well before kick-off against Everton. Hull’s earlier kick-off against Sunderland meant supporters were nervously checking their phones as they milled around outside the Liberty.
Then, amidst the gentle hum of activity, a roar from the Jack Zone – a fan area outside the ground – travelled and stopped many in their tracks as they realised what it meant: Sunderland had scored.
There was a similar eruption when the Black Cats’ second went in, and when the full-time whistle went at the KCOM Stadium.
This was the opportunity Swansea City had waited for, could they take it? They did, and how. Cheered on by magnificent home support, who barely let the decibel levels drop a notch during 93 minutes that would have frayed the nerves of even the calmest of supporters, Fernando Llorente’s header proved the difference, sealing another Liberty win and seeing the Swans leapfrog Hull.
Paul Clement admitted he wouldn’t mind taking the same crowd up to Sunderland next week, and who could blame him. The Liberty was rocking from start to finish, it was an atmosphere few who experienced it will forget in a hurry.
This was a first home league win over Everton, more importantly it means that if Swansea can win their final two games against Sunderland and West Brom, they will be assured of a seventh-straight season of Premier League football.
It was cagey, it was tense, but Swansea found what was needed and now have survival back in their own hands.
The hosts would have wanted to make a fast start, buoyed as they were by the news of the Hull result that they and Clement were aware of before they took to the field.
Instead, they had to watch the visitors dominate the ball during the opening exchanges. It was frustrating, but Swansea did not let the adrenaline that must have been coursing through their veins lead to any rash challenges of decisions.
They were disciplined and kept their shape, Alfie Mawson snuffed out Romelu Lukaku on several occasions to kick-off a superb performance from the 23-year-old and centre-half partner Federico Fernandez.
For the younger man to produce such a performance on the day Ashley Williams – who was a subdued presence aside from one feisty exchange with Llorente – returned to the Liberty will not have gone unnoticed by supporters.
The smattering of boos for the former skipper when he was on the ball were harsh given the sterling service he gave the club, but it made the point that his replacement is already firmly in their affections.
Swansea huffed and puffed, threatening without ever really creating a clear-cut chance. When they did, it was taken.
Jordan Ayew, who had a superb game alongside Llorente, twisted and turned Gareth Barry to distraction on the right side of the area and got in a cross - via a deflection off the Everton midfielder – and the Spaniard needed no second invitation as he overpowered Phil Jagielka to find the corner of the net for his 13th goal of the season,
The Liberty went wild, and they were nearly celebrating a second a few minutes later.
Some pinball in the area saw the ball fall to Mawson just outside the six yard box, the defender was ready to dispatch a left-footed volley into the bottom corner when Mason Holgate threw himself in the way to make
a brilliant block.
At the other end, Lukasz Fabianski had only had one very straightforward save to make, but the tone o the game changed once Ronald Koeman introduced Ross Barkley at the break.
Everton began to threaten with greater purpose, but they were met by an organised rearguard effort from their hosts, and on the occasions where they lifted the pressure Swansea were still carving out chances and still operating at a high intensity as highlighted by one crunching challenge from outstand- ing skipper Leon Britton on Idrissa Gueye.
Ayew so nearly got the goal his performance merited only for his volley to strike the outside of the post.
Substitute Leroy Fer was the next man to spurn a big chance. Tom Carroll’s perfect cross found the Dutchman’s forward run, but Maarten Stekelenburg made a sharp save.
It was agony for the home supporters, and hearts were in mouths when a Kevin Mirallas flick-on threatened to find Williams – of all people – inside the final few moments.
But there was no repeat of the heartache of Tottenham, Swansea saw the game out for a priceless three points, greeted by a cacophony of noise from all corners of the ground.
Clement and his players soaked it up and stayed on the pitch for some time to thank their 12th man.
Safety is within sight and they know if they can match this performance over the next two weekends, they will be able to celebrate a ‘great escape’ to rival that unforgettable day at The Vetch against Hull some 14 years ago.