Swansea City vs Everton. Premier League.
Swansea.com StadiumAttendance20,805.
Saturday 19 September 2015 18:27, UK
Everton dominated for much of the game but were unable to find the breakthrough against Swansea as they had Kevin Mirallas sent off late on in a goalless draw at the Liberty Stadium.
The Belgian was given his marching orders for a studs up challenge on Mo Barrow in the last minute of added time, just two minutes after coming on as a substitute.
That came after a second half that had been dominated by Roberto Martinez's side with Romelu Lukaku guilty of passing up two excellent opportunities to put his side ahead.
The former Chelsea striker was put through on goal twice, firstly by a slide rule pass from Gareth Barry down the right channel. Lukaku took a touch before blazing the shoot high and wide with his weaker right foot.
The second came from Ross Barkley's pass but Lukaku's first-time shot was kept out well by Lukasz Fabianski who had been quick off his line to narrow the angle.
Before that Arouna Kone had failed to convert after being set up by Barkley. The midfielder got away down the left and cut the ball back across the six-yard box where Kone stood with the goal gaping. However, the Ivorian was unable to adjust his feet in time and the chance went begging.
Gerard Deulofeu came off the bench and caused Swansea even more problems down the Everton right. He put in a wicked cross that just evaded Lukaku and Steven Naismith as both flung themselves at the cross.
Everton also had the better of the first half as they controlled possession and largely managed to stifle Swansea's attacking play.
However, it was the hosts who twice could have taken the lead through top scorer Bafetimbi Gomis. The striker first tested Tim Howard with a well-struck half-volley after adjusting his body quickly to meet Kyle Naughton's cross.
If he did well with the first, Gomis will have been disappointed not to finish the second.
A poor header from Barry put him in the clear and having kept the chasing defenders at bay, Gomis scuffed the shot wide of Howard's right-hand post.
Everton had chances of their own though as the half wore on and after a hat-trick last weekend, Naismith will feel he should have done better after a rapid Everton counter-attack.
He took too long on the ball after being played in by Lukaku though and Neil Taylor got back to make the tackle.
The same pair combined shortly afterwards, Naismith driving a shot at goal after a corner was only partially cleared with Lukaku sticking a leg out to try and divert it goalwards. The Belgian got too much on it though and Fabianski was able to save comfortably.
Tyias Browning also impressed on his full league debut as he largely kept Jefferson Montero quiet down the Swansea left.
The Blues were even more dominant in the second period and Kone should have put them in front within three minutes of the interval from Barkley's cut back.
The chances continued to come at regular intervals but a mixture of excellent last ditch defending, in particular from Ashley Williams, and some wasteful finishing ensured Garry Monk's side survived the onslaught.
Lukaku had another shot cleared off the line by Williams while Brendan Galloway's powerful shot was also headed over the top by the Wales skipper.
Having ridden their luck for large periods of the game, Swansea almost snatched a late winner as Barrow, who looked bright when he came on, crossed towards fellow-substitute Eder only for the impressive John Stones to get there first to clear.
It would have been extremely harsh on Everton and a frustrating afternoon was added to when Mirallas went in over the top of the ball with his studs showing in a challenge with Barrow.
After consulting with his assistant, referee Stuart Attwell produced the red card and Mirallas could have few complaints.
Soccer Saturday verdict - Matt Le Tissier
"I don't think Mirallas can have any complaints at all. When you go over the top of the ball like that and your studs go into the opponents ankle, it's dangerous play. It was right in front of the linesman and Stuart Atwell saw what went on and he rightly showed a red card."
Player ratings
Swansea: Fabianski (7), Naughton (6), Fernandez (7), Williams (9), Taylor (6), Cork (6), Shelvey (5), Ayew (5), Sigurdsson (4), Montero (6), Gomis (5).
Subs: Ki Sung-Yueng (5), Barrow (6), Eder (5).
Everton: Howard (6), Galloway (7), Stones (8), Jagielka (7), Browning (7), Barry (7), McCarthy (6), Naismith (5), Barkley (7), Kone (6), Lukaku (6).
Subs: Deulofeu (7), Mirallas (1).
Man of the match: Ashley Williams
