EPL – What We Learned – West Bromwich Albion 1 Swansea City...

EPL – What We Learned – West Bromwich Albion 1 Swansea City 1

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West Bromwich Albion earned a hard-fought point as Salomon Rondon found a way to score a late equaliser, cancelling out Gylfi Sigurdsson’s opening goal at the Hawthorns on Tuesday night.

Swansea seemed a tougher opponent, especially in the first-half when they managed to get hold on Rondon, but West Brom’s shots from distance were a threat for visitors’ goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. The Polish custodian was tested only 56 seconds into the match, needing a brilliant save to stop Darren Fletcher’s cheeky header. As the time progressed, the Swans gained a hold of the match, particularly Andre Ayew was causing problems for Tony Pulis’ defence with creative movement in the final-third.

Ki Sung-yueng was injured after clashing heads with Rondon’s, allowing Alberto Paloschi to make a debut. The Italian striker was bought just a week ago and here showed what can be expected in the future. His energy helped Swansea take the lead, when Sigurdsson got a ball Paloschi lost in the opposition’s box and sent a picturesque shot into the bottom-corner. West Brom had their own moments of pressure on goal, but could not get past a fabulous Fabianski until stoppage time. Rondon managed to get to a ball that bounced all over the Swansea box and scored from close-range to settle the match as a draw.

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Paloschi makes instant impact

After joining Swansea for around £7 million from Chievo, Paloschi excelled after entering the pitch in the dying moments of the first-half. He was very close to scoring just minutes later, getting a nice through ball from Wayne Routledge, though his shot was brilliantly saved by Ben Foster. The Italian could have hit the net just minutes before Sigurdsson’s goal, but his great movement was obvious late into the game when he managed to deflect the ball which hit the post of Foster’s goal.

Though he did not score, his virtues were evident. He was holding onto the ball very well when his teammates needed, especially when Ayew gave way for the centre-back Jordi Amat. The 26-year-old was able to pressure opposing defenders and made fast runs through the channels when Swansea were creating counter-attacks. All-in-all, fans should not worry about the drop if Paloschi keeps up the good work.


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West Brom does what West Brom does

It was a hard-fought draw for the Baggies at Hawthorns, but no one should be surprised. With Tony Pulis in the dugout, West Brom kept pressing until the last second of the game and this time they got something out of it. Looking at the displays of both teams, they might not have deserved the goal, but looking at statistics and Fabianski’s little show in second-half – it might be just what was expected.

Fletcher seemed too nervous throughout the match, Rondon was not very reliable until the second minute of the stoppage time and Saido Berahino will be remembered for his horrific shot from distance when his teammates needed to push on.

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Britton bosses the midfield

It was a performance to remember for Swansea’s legend. Leon Britton will not be happy with the result his team ended up with, but his individual display was terrific. Five interceptions in the middle of the pitch were a  stop sign for the home players, who were rather irritated by Britton’s high level of ball control, fouling him four times. He even managed to make two clearances from the danger area, helping out Ashley Williams and Federico Fernandez.

It was Britton’s 501st match in a Swansea jersey and his impact on the squad’s display seems to be improving with every game. An authority at the club, Britton has been a sort of second captain on the pitch, but more importantly, he has been linking up the midfield with the centre forwards nicely. It is what Swansea are in urge of, as 23 goals in 24 matches are not a tally teams are usually proud of.

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