Bournemouth vs Swansea City. Premier League.
Vitality StadiumAttendance10,820.
Saturday 5 May 2018 19:26, UK
Swansea's Premier League relegation fears were increased after Ryan Fraser's first-half strike handed Bournemouth all three points at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts scored the only goal of the game eight minutes before half-time thanks to a well-worked free-kick routine, as Fraser swept the ball home from the edge of the penalty area for his fifth league goal of the season.
Victory sees Eddie Howe's side move past the 40-point barrier and up to 12th, but for Swansea, defeat sees them drop into the relegation zone following Southampton's 1-1 draw at Everton on Saturday evening.
Carlos Carvalhal's side face a crucial game with Southampton, live on Sky Sports, at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday in a clash which could decide the fates of both teams before finishing with another home game against relegated Stoke.
Boosted ahead of kick-off by events at the bet365 Stadium, where Stoke's defeat to Crystal Palace saw their relegation confirmed, Swansea had the chance to take a significant stride towards safety with victory at Bournemouth and they were nearly ahead in the 11th minute with Mike van der Hoorn and Nathan Dyer denied by a smart double save from Asmir Begovic.
The hosts had chances of their own, the best of which fell to Callum Wilson, who sliced wide after being picked out at the far post by Fraser's inch-perfect cross.
Martin Olsson could only head Andre Ayew's cross over the crossbar as Swansea spurned yet another chance and they were soon punished when Fraser stroked home a smart Bournemouth free-kick routine, after Alfie Mawson had dragged Wilson down on the edge of the penalty area.
Swansea continued to create chances and Jordan Ayew wasted a glorious chance, slicing horribly wide after being played in by his brother Andre.
Jordan Ayew was straight into the action after the break and he did better with his next effort, forcing Begovic into another smart save, but after that the chances dried up for the visitors.
Carvalhal turned to Tammy Abraham from the bench and they sent bodies forward in search of an equaliser but lacked quality in the final third of the pitch.
The defeat could have been heavier for the Swans but Steve Cook missed a good chance to double the Cherries' lead when he headed over, while Lukasz Fabianski made a stunning save to deny Wilson from close range at the death.
But Fraser's goal proved to be enough and left Carvalhal with big concerns as his side went a seventh game without a win, and a third in a row without a goal.
Bournemouth registered their first win in six Premier League games (D2 L3), and their first clean sheet in 12. The Cherries ended a run of 11 Premier League games without a clean sheet, which was the longest current conceding streak in the competition.
Only Huddersfield (19) have failed to score in more Premier League games this season than Swansea (17).
Swansea have lost three consecutive Premier League games without scoring for only the second time ever, since a three-game run in September 2012.
The Swans have conceded the opening goal in 22 of their Premier League games this season, a joint-high figure along with Bournemouth.
Ryan Fraser has registered his best-ever goal tally in a single league season (five goals).
He did not get the goal his display deserved but King produced a performance full of energy against Swansea.
The 26-year-old combined well with Wilson and their pace caused Carvalhal's side all sorts of problems.
And but for better finishing, he could have had a couple of assists to his name.
In a clash which could decide the Premier League fates of both teams, Swansea face a crucial game against Southampton on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports, before taking on Stoke on the final day of the season.
Bournemouth's final game of the season is a strip to Burnley next Sunday.
