Gylfi in hurry to finish job

GYLFI SIGURDSSON laid the foundations for an improbable comeback, then vowed Swansea know all about the importance of Barclays Premier League survival to the city.

The Iceland midfielder dragged Francesco Guidolin’s side back into this game from two goals down against a depleted Stoke. And Sigurdsson (right) is well aware of the impact the new TV deal could have next season. ‘It is such a small place that we know what it means to the city and the fans,’ he said. ‘So if we can just make sure we stay in the league, we can hopefully do better next season.’

Swansea are now 10 points clear of the drop and Sigurdsson, with one eye on games against Leicester, Liverpool, West Ham and Manchester City, added: ‘Every game is a tough game, it doesn’t matter where you go. But of course those last four games are going to be against the best teams in the league, so hopefully we can finish it off before that.’

Stoke boss Mark Hughes grumbled: ‘Two-nil isn’t the easiest of leads to protect.’

Of his team’s injuries, he added: ‘We’ve been able to paper over the cracks at times. We’ve got away with it to an extent.’

SUPER STAT: Swansea City have kept just one clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League away games.

STOKE (4-2-3-1): Haugaard 6; Bardsley 6, Cameron 6, Wollscheid 6, Pieters 5.5; Imbula 6, Whelan 6 (Ireland 81min); Afellay 7, Bojan 8 (Diouf 74, 6), Arnautovic 6.5; Joselu 5.5.

Subs not used: Given, Muniesa, Adam, Crouch, El Ouriachi. Scorers: Afellay 13, Bojan 53.

SWANSEA (4-3-1-2): Fabianski 5.5; Rangel 6, Fernandez 6, Williams 7, Naughton 6 (Taylor 82); Cork 6, Britton 5 (Montero 61, 7.5), Fer 6; Sigurdsson 7.5; Gomis 6 (Paloschi 71, 7.5), Routledge 5.5. Subs not

used: Nordfelt, Amat, Taylor, Ki, Emnes.

Scorers: Sigurdsson 68, Paloschi 79. Man of the match:

Bojan Krkic.

Referee: Martin Atkinson 5.