Swansea and Stoke share points in entertaining draw

PA Sport staff

Press Association

Narcis Pelach’s Stoke earned a point in Wales (Nigel French/PA)

Swansea and Stoke had to settle for a point apiece after playing out an entertaining goalless draw at Swansea.com Stadium.

Stoke had arrived in Wales on the back of a 6-1 midweek demolition of Portsmouth, which had given new boss Narcis Pelach his first win since taking charge last month.

Luke Williams’ Swansea also had an unbeaten home run in the Championship this season to defend, and they set about their task confidently and competently from the start.

Visiting goalkeeper Viktor Johansson was brought into action for the first time after only three minutes to deny Ronald with a full length save, and 10 minutes later he had to catch a Ben Cabango header.

Eric Bocat then forced Lawrence Vigouroux into action in the home goal as he was sent through for a one-on-one after a defence-splitting pass from Bae Jun-ho, but the Swansea keeper won the battle with his feet.

Eom Ji-sung kept causing problems down the left flank for Swansea and in the closing minutes of the opening half he forced a great save out of Johansson and then hit the bar.

A diving header from Slovenian striker Zan Vipotnik almost gave Swansea a flying start to the second half, but once again Johansson kept his goal intact.

The next chance fell to Stoke’s man of the moment Tom Cannon at the other end after he was set free by a great through ball by Bae.

The 21-year-old Leicester loanee had opened his goal account against Portsmouth earlier in the week and went on to score four – the first Stoke player in 24 years to score that many in one game.

This time Cannon fluffed his lines as he took on the shot from the edge of the ‘D’ and saw the advancing Vigouroux save superbly with his feet.

Having been so dominant in the first half, Swansea found themselves holding on as Stoke pushed forward at the end and through the nine minutes added on by referee Andy Davies.

Cabango headed a Cannon shot off the line and it took a great challenge from Harry Darling to stop Million Manhoef from hitting the target for the Potters.