SWANS REVIVE HOPES OF SURVIVAL
Swansea send out Hull of a warning to relegation rivals after Liberty victory
SWANSEA City boss Paul Clement has warned relegation rivals Hull his team are coming for them after a dramatic day in the Premier League survival race.
Goals from Fernando Llorente and Tom Carroll gave the Swans the result they needed against Stoke in a match that had been dubbed ‘ a must-win’ by the manager following a dismal run of form.
The gloss may have been taken off the 2-0 victory at the Liberty by Hull’s own win by the same scoreline against Watford, but Clement has no doubt the triumph could prove a turning point for his men despite them remaining two points adrift of the Tigers and still in the relegation zone.
“We are two points behind Hull and breathing down their necks and we will do that until after the very last game,” he said.
“It was the first time I’ve called a game ‘must-win’ and I feel I was right with the fact Hull won again at home, a game I was sure they would win.
“Had the gap gone to five points with four games left it would have been very difficult.
“And although the points difference hasn’t changed, what has changed is that we’ve put behind us a poor run of form where we picked up very few points and hadn’t been performing. This has changed that and it is important psychologically.
“We have a big test against Manchester United but we have our confidence back, not just from winning the game, but the way we played.”
The manager also had special praise for club legend Leon Britton, who produced a superb display after being recalled to the side for the first time under Clement.
The skipper received a standing ovation from the Swans faithful when he was substituted in the closing moments, and the boss hailed the professionalism of the fans’ favourite ahead of next week’s trip to Old Trafford.
“It’s right he was given a special mention,” he said. “It’s the first minutes he’s played under me but the way he’s been as a professional, he’s continued to really get behind his teammates.
“I really looked to him today and he did it brilliantly. He played with a maturity and he couldn’t give any more, he had ran himself into the ground. It was a real captain’s performance.”
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