Swansea City will be in a happier mindset after their draw with Middlesbrough, but the visitors equaliser in the second half was extremely questionable. The point keeps Boro out of the automatic promotion places and the Swans move up to fifteenth and fifty four points.

It should have been more than one point on reflection this morning. For any team coming up to the Championship from League One there’s a standard you are going to have to reach to play in this vein both offensively and defensively in this league. We saw all that at the Swansea.com on Bank Holiday Monday.

It wasn’t just Middlesbrough who had players out for this fixture, young Sam Parker (19) came in at right back due to injuries to Josh Key and Ethan Galbraith and to give Joel Ward some extra rest on the bench. Parker was the most noticeable player on the pitch for the first twenty minutes. First he was exposed for the opener for Middlesbrough, and then as he got into the game things took a turn for the better. His pace and willingness to get forwards deceived the Boro left back cover on a couple of occasions. They soon found out about his athleticism, and added to that he can cross a ball as well.

The Swans did have to weather periods of pressure but still went in 2-1 up at half time after two stonewall penalties on Liam Cullen and Eom. The latter with added flavour the South Korean falling straight down after Boro keeper, Sol Brynn tapped his leg. Eom was dramatic but it was a nailed on spot kick. The former leaving referee Donahue no time to think about it, the decision was so obvious. Zān Vipotnik successfully executed the two penalties putting the ball expertly either side of the Boro keeper. Delivery from Franco for Eom’s penalty claim was exact, but he didn’t have the best of games overall by his standards. Ben Cabango was an outstanding candidate for man of the match, his positioning and endeavour throughout this game was superb. Alongside him Cameron Burgess concentrated on what he does best, clearing the ball with his head and feet. Keep it simple, no horror show moments.

Throughout his time on the pitch the ever improving Melker Widell was full of running adding to a decent press in midfield with Jay Fulton and at times Liam Cullen. The first half was a better performance for the Swans than the second. Head coach, Vitor Matos was clearly not happy with the way his side started the second half making substitutions after just ten minutes. You could see the Swans were on a defensive trip in the second half but also displayed some very positive moments especially in the tackle and defending. It wasn’t a bad second half from that point of view but the buzz had gone down a level and the defensive posture of the Swans encouraged far deeper defending. There were opportunities that required just a tad more effort from Adam Idah but the desire to have most men behind the ball wasn’t helpful to him. Ronald he a few flashes of possession but he found crosses being blocked again.

His defensive effort though was needed as the second half wore on.

Late on the Swans had a few opportunities, Liam Cullen getting a fine shot on target but the Boro keeper made amends for his first half howler denying a sure fire winning goal. Vigouroux pulled off a very good save and pretty much a draw was a fair result. Even with that Middlesbrough penalty taken in to consideration. It’s been quite a weekend of football for Swans fans. Five goals scored over the two Easter fixtures and indeed five conceded. Two points from six and the Swans as we expected hovering around mid table completely safe from any relegation talk - and always those five points off making any claim for a top eight spot. Vitor Matos has done the job required of him and kept the Swans up, that was his brief. More positives as a sold out away allocation will cheer on Swansea City at Leicester on Saturday (3pm). A team who are anything but safe in the Championship.

⚽️ Swans: L. VIgouroux 7 Sam Parker 7 (Joel Ward 72) 6 Ben Cabango (c), 8 Cameron Burgess 7 Josh Tymon 6 Jay Fulton 6 (Malick Yalcouye 80) 5 Gonçalo Franco 5 (Marko Stamenic 56) 6 Liam Cullen 6 Jisung Eom 7 Melker Widell 6 (Ronald 56) 6 Zan Vipotnik 7 (Adam Idah 56) 5

Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Gustavo Nunes, Leo Walta, Ricardo Santos.

⚽️ Boro: Sol Brynn, Callum Brittain, Riley McGree (Kaly Sene 66), Tommy Conway, Luke Ayling (captain), David Strelec (Sontje Hansen 66), Alan Browne, Aidan Morris, Alex Bangura (Finley Munroe 34) (Alex Gilbert 80), Adilson Malanda, Jeremy Sarmiento (Dael Fry 66).

Unused Substitutes: Joe Wildsmith, Alex Gilbert, George Edmundson, Law McCabe, Cruz Ibeh.

⚽️ Referee: Matthew Donohue : 6/10 He was ok ish, not the worst we have seen at the Swansea.com in recent times by a long stretch. Let himself down with that Boro penalty award.

⚽️ Attendance: 18,168

⚽️ Vitor post match

It has saved lives.

Photographs : Swansea Independent ©️Duncan Johnson