x

REPORT: Middlesbrough 3 Swansea City 4

Craig Beattie scores in the last minute to cap a superb Swansea City comeback

ESPN Soccernet

Jonathan Grounds scored his first goal for his boyhood club but Middlesbrough saw their hopes of continuing their unbeaten run at the Riverside ended as promotion-chasing Swansea snatched a dramatic 4-3 win.

Marvin Emnes struck first before Nathan Dyer's impressive finish gave the visitors brief parity. Grounds headed home from a free-kick before Leroy Lita doubled the lead just after the break.

Scott Sinclair narrowed the gap with a well-placed penalty before Ashley Williams levelled and Craig Beattie snatched victory at the death.

Emnes, previously on loan at the Liberty Stadium this season, opened the scoring after eight minutes, receiving a pinpoint pass from Lita and swivelling on the spot to wrongfoot Dorus de Vries and slot home from just inside the box.

Swansea did not let their heads drop and responded quickly following a move worthy of the best passing sides in the world.

Seb Hines made a rangy run into the opposition half before losing control of the ball. Swansea's quick counter-attacking dazed the Boro defence, four or five fluid passes finding Luke Moore on the right wing.

Dyer took Moore's cross unopposed to complete an excellent move from 12 yards out, side-footing past Jason Steele to level in the 14th minute.

The Swans' command of possession was at times eroded by sloppy defensive play and Lita found himself with a golden opportunity to take the lead. De Vries did well to parry a driven shot from just inside his penalty area.

Williams brought Scott McDonald down 25 yards from goal on 34 minutes. Barry Robson whipped in the resultant free-kick over a Swans wall that neglected to jump, finding Grounds in space to fire his first goal for Boro with a simple header.

The hosts' visibly improved after regaining the advantage and Hines was unlucky not to double the advantage before half-time.

After ghosting in to the far post, his strong header from a Tony McMahon corner was cleared off the line by Angel Rangel.

Tony Mowbray's teamtalk must have focused on exposing Swansea's frailty on the counter-attack as the hosts set out to nullify the fast one-touch football on display.

The improved mentality paid dividends when Robson's corner rebounded to Lita who headed home from close range just eight minutes after the restart.

Middlesbrough's joy was short lived when Julio Arca fouled Joe Allen on the hour mark. Sinclair stepped up to fire his penalty low to Steele's right to narrow the gap.

The daylight between the two sides was extinguished when Williams seized on Rangel's rebounding effort to tap in from six yards on 68 minutes.

Beattie snatched all three points with an injury-time winner, though, striking left-footed from 20 yards to break Middlesbrough fans' hearts.

What to read next:

Gwyn’s Eye View : Swansea City v Millwall
Glyn is back with his favourite stats as we build up to the last game of the season. That comes in the form of Millwall who it seems are close to selling their requested 1,148 allocation, so its down to the Jack Army to do their bit this bank holiday weekend.
The fate today’s Swansea footballers would never have to endure
Swansea City bring this season to a close on Saturday with a home game against Millwall. However, what about those bygone days when footballers had no choice but to go down the pit after their career ended, or open a toy shop, pub or retrain ? That thought would petrify todays modern footballer.
Jamal Lowe : Still to be contacted regards his future at Swansea, Langstaff update
We have been told by numerous Swansea fans of a chance meeting in a service station between Jamal Lowe and those returning from Norwich yesterday. Nothing in that or indeed the conversation they had yesterday. Indeed there has to be some interpretation from what we know already on Jamal Lowe.
Brave Swans in memorable game at Carrow Road
It was a pulsating game to watch and very much one of my favourite away games of the season. The Swans looked an entirely different side to that we saw at Middlesbrough when it is clear a catalyst for commitment was agreed behind the scenes at Swansea City. To a man every player grafted and wore the shirt with pride. To see the players really acknowledge the Swans support at Carrow Road this afternoon was emotional.
Norwich City 2 - 2 Swansea City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
TEAM NEWS : Norwich City v Swansea City
The Swans are on the Norfolk Broads, punting and boating their way to the end of the season. Hopefully the city of Norwich is obliging.
Swansea City : Jack Army travel over 1,000 miles for two games in succession
Swansea City have set out on their second long distance away trip in two weekends, this time to Norwich for todays clash between the Swans and Canaries (3pm) Over the last ten meetings between the clubs Swansea City have won five times, Norwich the same.
Cardiff City fan sends tragedy tweet directed at dead Swansea City fan Terry Coles
As a result of the news reported by Sky on Wednesday that five military horses had escaped and ran through central London, a Cardiff City follower thought it wise to relate the incident to the death of Swansea fan Terry Coles, 42.
Swansea reject Cullen contract and trigger one year option
Liam Cullen has had his request for a new contract dismissed by Swansea City after discussions broke down last week. The lowest paid ‘senior’ player at the club ( he is twenty five) asked for a better contract increasing his £3,500 a week to around £7,000 a week over three years.
Gwyn’s Eye View : Norwich City v Swansea City ‘The officials’
Thanks to Gwyn we have a thorough assessment of this weeks officials who will take charge at Carrow Road this Saturday at 3pm. Norwich City will be keen to get the points to guarantee their play off slot, and Saturday is their first go.