TIGERS KEEPER INGRAM STARS AS SWANS RUE MISSED CHANCES
Wait goes on for Russell to notch first home win
SWANSEA City failed to turn their control into goals as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Hull City. Russell Martin’s men dominated possession throughout the contest at Swansea.com Stadium and created a number of opportunities to bulge the net
Matt Grimes, Joel Piroe and Kyle Naughton were all denied by Hull goalkeeper Matt Ingram as Ben Hamer enjoyed a quiet afternoon in the Swansea goal.
But the hosts couldn’t turn their dominance into three points as they had to settle for a share of the spoils in south Wales.
The Swans made five changes from the 3-1 loss to Preston North End before the international break.
Olivier Ntcham and Rhys Williams both made their debuts while Hamer was handed his first league appearance for the club.
Flynn Downes and Naughton also returned to lineup as Joel Latibeaudiere, Jay Fulton, Liam Cullen, Steven Benda and Ryan Manning dropped to the bench.
Swansea bossed possession, and after a fairly calm start to proceedings, the hosts grew in confidence as the minutes ticked by.
Ethan Laird and Ntcham brought some much needed dynamism to the Swans who saw Jake Bidwell have a shot blocked after a slick attack on the right wing.
Manchester United loanee Laird was causing the Tigers plenty of problems, and he headed wide from a Bidwell cross soon after as the chances started to come.
Ntcham, Laird and Piroe all linked up nicely to open up space for the latter to fire at goal from the edge of the box midway through the opening half, although Ingram did enough to keep out the Dutchman’s effort.
The confidence was there for all to see, and a bright start was almost rewarded when Grimes’ free-kick looked to be heading into the net until Ingram tipped the ball on to the post – with Piroe’s follow-up effort going over.
Grant McCann’s troops struggled to get out of their own half, and Naughton took it upon himself to rifle an effort goalwards from 25 yards out. Ingram once again pulled off a fine save to ensure the visitors remained level, although there was to be no respite as the Swans continued to control proceedings.
But they couldn’t find the allimportant breakthrough as the score remained level at the interval – despite the fact the hosts outdid Hull by 11 shots to 0 in the opening 45.
It proved to be more of the same after the restart, and the Jack Army were calling for a penalty on 54 minutes as Laird went down in the box under a challenge from Callum Elder, although referee Keith Stroud was not convinced.
The same occurred soon after as Jamie Paterson hit the deck after attempting to go beyond Di’Shon Bernard as Martin and his coaching staff were left incensed.
Grimes was well off target with a shot from distance after the hour mark as Hull continued to frustrate the Swans.
Manning and summer signing Michael Obafemi were both sent on as Swansea pushed for a winner before Williams volleyed Paterson’s corner wide after Ben Cabango replaced the injured Naughton in the final stages.
And Hamer palmed away Ryan Longman’s curling strike in the final minute of added time as the Swans had to settle for a point as their quest for a first home league win under the new regime continues ahead of this Wednesday’s contest with Millwall at the Liberty.