Llorente ensures Swansea end season on high note

Swansea (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Fernando Llorente’s 10th goal in his last 11 home appearances sealed Swansea’s come from behind 2-1 win over West Brom to end a turbulent Premier League season on a bright note on Sunday.

The 32-year-old former Spanish international striker added to Ghanaian Jordan Ayew’s goal to extend Swansea’s unbeaten run to five — taking 13 points from a possible 15 — which came at the most opportune time to save them from the drop.

West Brom will breathe a sigh of relief that they had ensured their safety earlier in the season as a terrible run has seen them record just one win in 12 matches.    

A carnival atmosphere at the Liberty Stadium appeared to translate itself to the players as they initially played like they were already on holiday. 

West Brom did conjure up one chance in the opening 25 minutes but Salomon Rondon’s header was easily gathered by Kristoffer Nordfeldt.

However, Nordfeldt was at fault when the visitors broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute.

He came out and flapped at a corner and Northern Ireland international Jonny Evans benefited by heading in to the gaping net. 

Rondon went close to doubling West Brom’s lead early in the second-half but the outstanding Swansea captain Leon Britton quick thinking prevented that happening.

Britton’s decisive intervention proved ever more valuable when Jordan Ayew popped up to level for the hosts with 18 minutes remaining.

As with so much of Swansea’s better moments this season it stemmed from Icelandic star Gylffi Sigurdsson whose freekick eluded the West Brom defence then received a flick-on and Ayew was at the far post to convert the chance.

Their comeback was complete when Llorente volleyed home with four minutes remaining to give the fans further excuse to carry on the party and some optimism that next season will be less troublesome.