Swansea City 0-0 Bournemouth
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Bournemouth remain unbeaten in the Premier League against Swansea (W3 D2)
Swansea City were unable to ease the pressure on manager Paul Clement as they drew with Bournemouth at the Liberty Stadium.
The Swans have won only one of their eight home fixtures in the Premier League this season, though they were grateful to at least arrest a slump that had seen them lose four games on the spin.
Striker Wilfried Bony thought he had won the game for the hosts, but his first-half effort was controversially ruled out for an infringement and Leroy Fer missed a golden opportunity in the final 10 minutes.
The Swans remain in the bottom three of the Premier League, while Bournemouth's recent improvement continued.
The Cherries are now unbeaten in four games and have collected 10 points from their past 15 available.
Clement under pressure
Clement spent the majority of his pre-match briefing on Thursday deflecting questions about his future, and newspaper headlines linking the Swans with Tony Pulis have added to the pressure. Clement is as short as even money with some bookies to be the next Premier League manager to lose his job.
Swansea's home form has been their biggest issue by far this term and the performances in their losses to Newcastle, Watford, Leicester and Brighton have left many at the Liberty Stadium openly questioning the coach who kept them up, against the odds, last season.
Clement's team selection was nothing if not bold, with summer signing Roque Mesa earning a surprise start, his second of the campaign and first since 19 August.
Swansea's nine points from 13 games is their joint-worst start to a Premier League season
However, his players barely produced a response to keep the critics at bay, with the Swans not so much as sniffing a tangible chance until the stroke of half-time.
The hosts enjoyed plenty of possession, but it was the visitors who had the better opportunities.
That was until Swansea had a goal disallowed after 44 minutes when Renato Sanches found space inside the visitors' area and his attempt at a shot cannoned into the air, falling for Bony, who smashed the ball beyond Asmir Begovic.
However, referee Stuart Attwell adjudged Jordan Ayew to have fouled Nathan Ake in the build-up, meaning the teams exited the field to a chorus of boos; largely directed at the officials. The fact the shot at goal was Bony's only touch in the first period in Bournemouth's half of the field tells its own story.
The Swans improved after the break with Sanches and Bony linking well. However, clear chances were few and far between despite Swansea spending almost 40% of the contest in Bournemouth's final third.
Bournemouth's signs of revival continue
The Cherries headed into this game buoyed by the knowledge that their form is comfortably their best in recent months, with Eddie Howe's side having won three of their previous four games, collecting as many points in that time as they had in their previous 11 in the Premier League.
Howe's men had never lost to the Swans in the top division, with their last defeat against the Welsh side coming in 2006, in League One.
They seemed to have the edge when it came to confidence and, but for decent goalkeeping, they might have led before half-time.
Joshua King's fine run and cross presented Marc Pugh with a chance after only 90 seconds, but he shot tamely before Andrew Surman's curling effort was also dealt with by Lukasz Fabianski.
Asmir Begovic made a late double-save to earn Bournemouth's third consecutive Premier League clean sheet
The Polish goalkeeper was forced to make a splendid stop after 43 minutes when Pugh crossed and King stabbed an effort at goal which the shot-stopper tipped to safety.
Bournemouth were composed and compact as they chased an unprecedented third successive Premier League clean sheet, but they struggled for rhythm early in the second half as the hosts huffed and puffed without looking like making a breakthrough.
However, with seven minutes remaining substitute Fer burst through and forced Begovic to save low with his legs, the rebound fell back to Fer but he could only clip the crossbar.
Another sub, Tammy Abraham, saw a claim for a penalty waved away in stoppage time, while Charlie Daniels went close for the visitors but dragged his shot just wide.
'Patient supporters a big help' - what they said
Swansea City manager Paul Clement:
"[It was] not a very good performance from him [referee Stuart Attwell], but I'd rather talk about my team.
"They showed the passion and enthusiasm today and I think the supporters were happy with what they saw.
"Leroy Fer has a really good chance at the end, but it's a pleasing performance. We were really good in spells and it is something to build on.
"The way we played after the break was settled and in control. We didn't get that break to get all three points, but the fans were patient when we made errors and that was a big, big help."
On Bony's disallowed goal: "I thought at the time it was soft foul to give [against Ayew].
"I think if that was between the two boxes the game would have carried on. That's what I saw in real time and I made that point to the referee at half-time, that it was a soft decision."
Clement frustrated by 'poor' refereeing
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe:
"It was a scrappy game and not high quality, but both team gave everything.
"We're becoming harder to beat, so I'm happy [with that]. They made it difficult for us."
On Swansea's disallowed goal in the first-half: "I thought there was a foul, [but] I've only seen it live. I thought the referee made the right call."
On a record third consecutive clean sheet in the Premier League: "I'm very pleased with that mark. As a team we've functioned well this season but there are plenty of areas to improve.
"I think it's another step forward for us, we didn't play well but came away with a point. We look forward to Wednesday."
Cherries becoming harder to beat - Howe
Man of the match - Nathan Ake (Bournemouth)
When it became about holding on for the visitors, Ake marshalled the defence superbly
Bony's barren run continues - the stats
The Swans stopped a run of four consecutive losses in the league, however, they are without a win in their last five (D1 L4), their longest winless run since April 2017 (six).
The Cherries have kept three successive Premier League clean sheets for the first time.
In fact, it was the first time Bournemouth had kept three consecutive shutouts in any league since October 2014.
Swansea have failed to score in three successive Premier League games for the first time since May 2013.
The Swans recorded just one shot on target against Bournemouth, with the Swans having just 24 shots on target in the Premier League this season; 10 fewer than any other side.
Wilfried Bony has now gone nine Premier League games in a row without a goal. The Ivorian striker has only netted in one of his last 27 Premier League games (2 goals).
Wilfried Bony was restricted to just three touches in the Bournemouth penalty area
What's next?
Swansea will look to arrest their winless run when they visit reigning Premier League champions Chelsea on Wednesday, 29 November (19:45 GMT); on the same night Bournemouth host Sean Dyche's Burnley at the Vitality Stadium (also 19:45 GMT).
- Published25 November 2017
