Stoke City 2-2 Swansea City

Alberto Paloschi's equaliser was his second goal since joining Swansea from Chievo

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Alberto Paloschi struck as Swansea came from two goals down to damage Stoke's European hopes.

Ibrahim Afellay marked his 30th birthday by giving Mark Hughes' side a half-time lead as he headed in Marko Arnautovic's cross.

Bojan Krkic doubled the lead early in the second half with a fine solo goal.

But Sigurdsson pulled one back with a shot on the turn that wrong-footed keeper Jakob Haugaard, and Paloschi's deflected strike earned a point.

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Guidolin bites back

Swansea attacked ineffectively down the right in the first half (left) - but switched their focus to the left after the break, with Jefferson Montero's display key to that

It has not been a good few days for Swansea head coach Francesco Guidolin, who has had to deal with widespread reports that Brendan Rodgers will return to the club to take his job at the end of the season.

There was little sign that things were about to improve for Guidolin, as his side were second best for the first hour.

However, two substitutions by Swansea's boss changed the game, with the lively Jefferson Montero causing all manner of problems down the left, and Paloschi snatching the equaliser.

It was the Italian striker's second goal for the club since his £8m move from Chievo in January and, although it came with the aid of a deflection, it was no less sweet for that.

There was a degree of sweet revenge on Hughes for Guidolin too. The Swansea coach's Vicenza side had been denied a place in the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup by a dramatic goal by Hughes for Chelsea in 1998.

This time, the Italian had the final word, and Swansea - who have reached 37 points - are surely safe from relegation.

Haugaard has difficulties on league debut

Jakob Haugaard's awkward first-half punch was symptomatic of an uncomfortable performance

With Stoke's first-choice goalkeeper Jack Butland ruled out for the rest of the season - as well as Euro 2016 - after breaking his ankle on England duty seven days earlier, this was a chance for Jakob Haugaard to impress.

The Dane, signed from Midtjylland last summer, made his Premier League debut, but did not have the most auspicious of afternoons.

He flapped at one early corner, sending the ball high into the air with a punch that made next to no distance, and looked less than comfortable under pressure.

Haugaard should really have kept out Sigurdsson's goal, which gave Swansea hope. The keeper may have been unsighted as the Iceland international turned to score from the edge of the penalty area, but the shot was well within his reach - and the scorer confirmed afterwards that it had not been deflected.

Stoke slip up again

Hughes has assembled a terrific squad at the Britannia Stadium; one that is well on course for their highest league finish since 1975 despite a raft of injuries.

They have, though, developed a frustrating habit of slipping up just when their momentum looks set to carry them into contention for a place in Europe.

Stoke lost to Southampton in their previous home game, when a win would have taken them to within a point of sixth place and, having won at Watford before the international break, they passed up another great chance to progress here.

Afellay's opening goal was the least Stoke deserved for their first-half superiority and, when Bojan added a well-taken second by ending a mazy run with a precise low shot, the match should have been won.

Man of the match - Jefferson Montero (Swansea)

Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero played less than half an hour - having only returned from international duty on Friday - but his influence changed the game

What they said

Swansea head coach Francesco Guidolin: "I am very happy because it's not easy coming into the Premier League. I saw, for example, what happened to Remi Garde at Aston Villa. We are seeing it with Rafa Benitez at Newcastle. It is not easy for anyone in our job to come in during the season.

"I hope to see my team play well in the last weeks of the season. I saw my team play with solidarity and enthusiasm and collaboration and focus. This is an important message for us. I am very proud today."

Stoke manager Mark Hughes: "I thought we were good value at 2-0. We created the vast majority of the chances up to that point and could have had more goals.

"But 2-0 isn't the easiest of leads to protect. Maybe we got defensive when they got the goal. They got the second goal from their second shot on target. One of Swansea's players was in an offside position for it, and we've been in to see the officials. But we don't get too many of those decisions."

The stats you need to know

• Ibrahim Afellay scored a Premier League goal at the Britannia Stadium for the first time on his 30th birthday. It was also Stoke's 200th Premier League home goal.

• Gylfi Sigurdsson (10) is the first Icelandic player to score 10 or more goals in a Premier League season since Eidur Gudjohnsen in 2004-05 (12).

• Marko Arnautovic, who assisted Afellay's opener, has been involved in more league goals this season than any other Stoke player (15 in total - 10 goals, 5 assists).

• Swansea have kept just one clean sheet in their past 17 Premier League away games.

What next?

Stoke will attempt to revive their Europa League challenge when they visit Liverpool a week on Sunday (16:00 BST), the day after Swansea bid to reach the 40-point mark by beating Chelsea at the Liberty Stadium (15:00 BST).