Premier League:

Swansea City 2–2 Tottenham Hotspur

A SUBLIME second half free kick from Spurs midfielder Christian Eriksen ensured his side left Swansea with a point after the home side had twice led at the Liberty Stadium.

The Dane had already wrong footed Lukasz Fabianski with a free kick in the first half to cancel out Andre Ayew’s headed opener – and then after Harry Kane’s own goal had ensured the Swans led at the break, curled in a second leveller on 65 minutes.

The result would have left both managers with mixed emotions, as both sides went close to an elusive late winner.

It was Mauricio Pochettino’s men who had the best of the early exchanges as Toby Alderweireld headed over an Erik Lamela corner, before Nacer Chadli stung the palms of Lukasz Fabianski with a low shot from just outside the area.

However, 16 minutes in, the Swans struck with their first meaningful move of the match.

Left winger Jefferson Montero and Spurs right back Kyle Walker were engaged in a fascinating battle for much of the afternoon, and on this occasion, it was the Ecuadorian who came out on top when he collected a Gylfi Sigurdsson pass, turned inside, and crossed for Ayew to head home his fourth league goal of the season.

But 11 minutes later the visitors were level when Federico Fernandez brought down the lively Dele Alli on the edge of the area, and after the Argentinian was booked for his troubles, Eriksen left Fabianski wrong footed with a dipping shot.

In truth, the keeper would have been disappointed with his role in the goal, appearing to wrongly pre-empt the Dane aiming over the wall.

The increasingly influential Eriksen then fired just wide from long range before Garry Monk’s men retook the lead – as Jonjo Shelvey’s corner was sliced into the roof of his own net by England striker Kane.

It prompted the home fans to amusingly taunt their counterparts with the song ‘Harry Kane, he’s one of our own’, although it nearly backfired as moments later the same player latched onto a Lamela pass before seeing his low left foot shot gathered by Fabianski.

Eriksen twice threatened again before the break – seeing another free kick beaten away by Fabianski before the keeper tipped wide his 20 yard shot.

Spurs came close again early in the second half when Fabianski bravely denied Kane from close range, then at the other end, Montero’s cross was headed over at the back post by Bafetimbi Gomis.

Monk’s men then enjoyed their best spell as Ki Sung-Yueng’s effort from inside the area was deflected wide, and Bafetimbi Gomis was unable to direct Sigurdsson’s volley towards goal from six yards out.

Moments later, the Frenchman expertly turned Verthonghen but hesitated at the decisive moment, and was crowded out before shooting wide.

But with 25 minutes remaining, Eriksen struck again after Shelvey had taken Alli down, and from an almost identical angle to where he scored in the first half, the Dane drew his side level with a wicked shot into the far top corner.

And it was Spurs who then seemed most likely to grab a winner, as Alli saw his long range effort beaten away by Fabianski, before Andros Townsend’s shot again appeared to wrong foot the Pole, who managed to save with his legs.

Townsend then wasted an opening when he shot tamely at the keeper following a swift counter attack, but as the game went into injury time, it was the Swans who went agonisingly close when Ki’s fee kick was met by Fernandez – who saw his header brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Hugo Lloris.

It meant that Spurs maintained their unbeaten record against Swansea both at the Liberty Stadium and in the Premier League, and left Monk’s men still searching for a first domestic win since August 30th. 

Swansea City: Lukasz Fabianski, Angel Rangel, Ashley Williams (capt), Federico Fernandez, Neil Taylor, Ki Sung-Yueng,  Gylfi Sigurdsson (Modou Barrow 75), Jonjo Shelvey (Jack Cork 86), Andre Ayew, Jefferson Montero, Bafetimbi Gomis.
Subs not used: Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Franck Tabanou, Wayne Routledge, Eder, Kyle Bartley.

Tottenham Hotspur: Hugo Lloris (capt), Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Ben Davies, Erik Lamela (Andros Townsend 57), Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Nacer Chadli (Clinton N’Jie 64), Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane (Mousa Dembele 81).
Subs not used: Michel Vorm, Kieran Trippier, Kevin Wimmer, Tom Carroll.

Referee: Mike Dean.
Assistant referees: Dave Bryan and Darren Cann.
Fourth official: Iain Williamson.

Attendance: 20, 845.