Swansea City 1-1 Blackpool: Keshi Anderson cancels out Joel Piroe's sparkling strike

Blackpool celebrate Keshi Anderson's fourth goal of the season

Blackpool celebrated Neil Critchley's new contract by claiming a point thanks to Keshi Anderson's late equaliser at Swansea City.

Joel Piroe's high-class goal had looked set to give Swansea a fifth straight home win.

But in a game of few chances, Anderson prodded home to extend Blackpool's unbeaten away run to three games.

Swansea were frustrated not to hold on for victory, though Critchley will feel his side were worth the draw.

Blackpool stay 10th in the table, three points outside the play-off places, with Swansea two points further back in 12th.

Former Liverpool Under-23 boss Critchley has had a big impact since taking charge at Bloomfield Road in 2020, so the announcement of his fresh long-term deal was a major boost to Blackpool on the eve of their trip to Wales.

Buoyed by that news - and their impressive recent away form - Blackpool pressed high and made life hard for Swansea in the early stages.

The visitors created the first half chance of the day when Jerry Yates cut in from the left, but his low shot was comfortably gathered by Ben Hamer.

Swansea gradually began to exert their usual levels of control, and Ethan Laird saw the first of two penalty claims waved away when he went down under pressure from Reece James.

Swansea's goal was a thing of beauty, as they worked the ball well to the feet of Piroe 25 yards from the target.

Rather than lay the ball off, Piroe spun on to his weaker right foot before unleashing a shot which arrowed into the far corner of the net.

It is now 11 goals for the Dutchman since his summer switch from PSV Eindhoven, with the £1m Swansea paid for his services looking a smarter piece of business with each game he plays.

Swansea have regularly dominated on their own patch this season - Blackpool became only the second visiting team who had scored a league goal on this ground since August - but that was not the case here.

Joel Piroe has five goals in his last seven games

Critchley's enterprising side had taken 10 points from their previous five away games and pushed Swansea throughout.

The leveller came from a set-piece, as Hamer could only punch James' corner as far as Anderson and he steered the ball inside the post from 15 yards.

Anderson might have repeated the trick in stoppage time as another corner was not dealt with, but this time Ryan Manning headed out from under the bar.

Swansea head coach Russell Martin:

"The best thing about the first half was the goal. We got to the box and didn't go for the jugular because they didn't feel it was the right moment. There were a few murmurings but we were patient and then Joel has time and space to do what he did, that's because we were patient.

"We should have two penalties which change the game but I don't want to come out here and blame the referee because we concede a poor goal. I don't know what Ethan has to do to get a penalty. We have got a list and compilation of videos where we should have penalties and we'll send it off because it can't just keep happening.

"The game swung completely the other way in the second half. I understand if they have a spell, they are a good team, but they had far too much of the ball we didn't have enough energy and intensity.

"As a group of coaching staff we have to take some responsibility for that. We have maybe worked the guys too hard. It was the last opportunity we had to put some work into them and maybe we have gone too far.

"Bur we have a point. We are unbeaten at home for a long time and we will try to make sure we bounce back better on Wednesday."

Blackpool head coach Neil Critchley:

"You know what you are going to face when you come to Swansea. They play a unique brand of football. They are the best footballing team in the division and they have an outstanding home record.

"We decided to change our system and play differently today. I think we gave them problems without the ball in the first half.

"They didn't get really near our goal - we didn't get near their goal either. It was an outstanding strike that was the difference at half-time.

"Second half we showed real courage to take the game to Swansea and at times we were on top with the ball, we were making them do what they don't want to do which is run and defend without the ball.

"We weren't getting to the goal as much as I would have wanted but you know at 1-0, there's always a chance of a set-piece or a moment of quality."