Saturday 13 May 2017 18:16, UK
Paul Clement has praised Fernando Llorente for stepping up in the big games after the striker's opener helped Swansea beat Sunderland 2-0 on Saturday.
Llorente headed in Swansea's first after nine minutes at the Stadium of Light, in what was the Spaniard's third goal in his last four starts and 14th overall in the league this season.
Kyle Naughton made it two just before the break, and the result leaves Swansea four points above 18th-placed Hull, who face Crystal Palace on Nissan Super Sunday.
And with the Swans edging ever closer to safety, Clement praised the influence of Llorente after his match-winning performance.
"He's been brilliant," said Clement. "Stepped up in the big games having taken a bit of criticism recently for his work-rate, but what I want him to do is be in the box and score goals.
"That's what he has done in big, big games. I thought it was quite deep to cross it in from there, but [Gylfi] Sigurdsson has fantastic delivery and when you have someone like Llorente in the box, he's always a threat. It was a perfect cross and finish.
"I would have been happy coming into half-time at 1-0 to be honest, but we had that wonderful moment with Kyle's rare goal, that gave us a big platform to build on."
Swansea's win mounted the pressure on Hull, who must beat Crystal Palace on Sunday to keep their slim hopes of survival alive.
A draw for Hull is unlikely to be good enough given their inferior goal difference, while Palace themselves will be desperate for victory to confirm their own safety with a game to spare.
"I think I will watch the game," Clement added. "Our result not only puts pressure on Hull but also on Crystal Palace. We have got ourselves in a strong position, but we don't think it's done. Absolutely not.
"We need to be well-prepared mentally, have a good week and finish the job at home."
