Battling point for Swans as they keep out Rangers
SWANSEA City maintained their unbeaten Championship start to 2022 after claiming a goalless draw with Queens Park Rangers.
Both sides had chances to take the points at The Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, with Joel Piroe going the closest for Swansea, while Lyndon Dykes and Luke Amos both had good efforts for QPR.
Michael Obafemi thought he had won it for Russell Martin’s men – who had Flynn Downes red-carded late on – but the offside flag had been raised to ensure the spoils were shared.
The Swans made just one change from the 1-0 triumph over Preston North End last time out as Hannes Wolf was handed his first start in place of the injured Olivier Ntcham.
Swansea didn’t take long to find their rhythm in west London and saw Matt Grimes’ volley over from Wolf’s free-kick shortly before Cyrus Christie had an effort blocked.
Mark Warburton’s side offered a threat through Moses Odubajo on the right flank, although, in truth, Ben Hamer’s work was predominantly done with his feet.
The Swans survived a major scare just 10 minutes before half-time, though, as Chris Willock’s floated cross was headed goalwards by Charlie Austin, but the Hoops striker was denied by Hamer at point-blank range - despite the fact that the offside flag had already been raised.
Swansea actually managed to get the ball in the net moments later as – after an outrageous piece of skill in his own half – Grimes lofted the ball forward to Piroe who passed beyond David Marshall, although the Dutchman was clearly offside when latching onto his captain’s pass.
QPR had one final chance to break the deadlock before the interval after a cheap foul from Piroe, but Yoann Barbet’s free-kick hit the Swansea wall to ensure the score remained level at the break.
Martin’s troops carved out their best opening of the game five minutes after the restart as Latibeaudiere cut inside before feeding Piroe who poked goalwards, only for Marshall to claw away
the forward’s goalbound effort.
It gave the visitors a real lift, and they slowly upped the ante in an attempt to cause the Londoners more problems.
But, after Downes almost went around Marshall after attempting to intercept a loose back pass, Swansea were again fortunate not to go behind as Amos’ drilled effort struck the inside of Hamer’s post.
The game had really opened up by this point, and after Wolf was denied by Marshall, Korey Smith could only scuff a shot wide on the hour mark.
Martin sent on Jay Fulton and Obafemi for Wolf and Piroe with a quarter of the match left to play.
And, while the match remained a hotly-contested one, chances were at a premium until Grimes fed Latibeaudiere who could only prod the ball a foot wide of Marshall’s far post with 12 minutes left on the clock.
Substitute Dykes should have put the home side ahead soon after, although his shot was expertly kept out by Hamer.
The Swans thought they had clinched a dramatic winner two minutes from time when Obafemi tapped beyond Marshall, although he was denied by the offside flag as the Swans – who had Downes sent off in injury time – claimed a draw after what was their 11th league clean sheet of the campaign.
Queens Park Rangers: Marshall; Dickie, Dunne, Barbet; Odubajo, Field, Johansen (C), Wallace (Adomah 60); Amos (Dykes 60), Willock (Thomas 82); Austin. Subs not used: Walsh, De Wijs, Ball, Dozzell.
Yellow cards: Odubajo 69, Johansen 76
Swansea City: Hamer; Cabango, Naughton, Manning; Christie, Downes, Grimes (C), Latibeaudiere; Smith, Wolf (Fulton 67); Piroe (Obafemi 67). Subs not used: Fisher, Bennett, Abdulai, Walsh, Joseph.
Yellow cards: Smith 29, Cabango 47, Downes 73 & 90+1, Obafemi 90+4
Red card: Downes 90+1
Referee: Andy Davies
Attendance: 12,770
Last night’s other games: Coventry 1 Stoke 0, Birmingham 2 Peterborough 2, Luton 2 Bristol City 1, Nottm For 3 Barnsley 0.