West Bromwich Albion vs Swansea City. Premier League.
The HawthornsAttendance22,062.
Wednesday 3 February 2016 00:32, UK
Salomon Rondon scored in injury-time to rescue a 1-1 draw for West Brom and deny Swansea a third successive Premier League win.
Gylfi Sigurdsson's low strike in the 64th minute looked to have won the game for Francesco Guidolin's men, but Rondon managed to make the most of a goalmouth scramble to spare his side's blushes two minutes into added time.
Saido Berahino was the talking point before the game after he was not named in Tony Pulis' starting line-up. He came off the bench moments before Sigurdsson's opener but was unable to make an impact as his strike partner proved West Brom's saviour on the night.
The first half saw both sides unable to offer a cutting edge in front of goal. Darren Fletcher missed two headed opportunities and a chance inside the box in the 43rd minute as they couldn't break the deadlock.
Sigurdsson came closest to scoring in the opening 45 minutes after some quick thinking to try and lob Ben Foster from just inside West Brom's half nearly paid dividends, but the Baggies 'keeper was able to claw his effort away with a one-handed save.
Ki Sung-yeung was forced off on a stretcher on the stroke of half-time after Stephane Sessegnon accidentally kicked him in the face, which forced Swansea boss Guidolin to bring on new signing Alberto Paloschi.
After the break, Swansea showed their intent to secure back-to-back wins on the road. Wayne Routledge put Andre Ayew in line for a goalscoring opportunity with just one defender to beat in the 52nd minute, but his shot went narrowly over the bar.
Berahino, then made his entrance with 28 minutes remaining as Pulis looked to add some impetus to his misfiring attack.
Swansea were undeterred and just two minutes after Berahino's introduction they were rewarded for their endeavour. Paloschi tried to set up a one-on-one opportunity but the ball cannoned off Ashley Williams and into the path of Sigurdsson who cut in a fine low drive, from 12 yards out, into bottom the right hand corner.
West Brom tried to find an equaliser but their efforts appeared to be fruitless, even if a shot from Victor Anichebe made Lukasz Fabianski pull off a brilliant save, as he tipped his rasping effort over the bar 13 minutes from time.
Berahino in the 81st minute again forced a superb save from Fabianski but the the linesman had already flagged for offside.
That looked to be their final meaningful effort of the game before Rondon made the most of a penalty-area scramble to lash the ball in the back of the net seconds after Fletcher had cleared Sigurdsson's effort off the line.
The result leaves Swansea in 16th place, four points clear of Newcastle, who are due to play Everton on Wednesday. West Brom are in 13th position and edged closer to safety with a point which leaves them seven points off the relegation zone.
Player ratings
West Brom: Foster, (7) Olsson (6) Yacob (6), Evans (5), McClean (6), McAuley (6), Fletcher (4), Dawson (7), Sessegnon (6), Sandro (5), Rondon (7).
Subs used: Gardner(5), Berahino (6), Anichebe (7).
Swansea: Fabianski (8), Rangel (6), Fernandez (6), Williams (7), Taylor (6), Britton (6), Ki (6), Cork (6), Sigurdsson (8), Routledge (7), Ayew (6).
Subs used: Naughton (7) Amat (6) Paloschi (7)
Man of the Match: Gylfi Sigurdsson
