Rotherham United 1-1 Swansea City: Darling's debut goal cancels out Obgene opener

Chiedozie Ogbene runs away to celebrate as Harry Darling (right) sums up Swansea's frustration at falling behind

Rotherham United took a point on their return to the Championship as Harry Darling's stunning debut goal saw Swansea City come back to draw 1-1.

Chiedozie Ogbene flicked home a header to give Rotherham an early lead.

But Darling drove in the equaliser from distance in his first competitive game since signing from MK Dons.

Michael Obafemi then missed a glorious chance to give Swansea victory as both sides left with something to show for their opening-day efforts.

Swansea will feel they had enough control to secure victory - though goalkeeper Andy Fisher to made a number of saves as Rotherham created enough opportunities to take all three points.

Rotherham are back in the second tier having finished second in League One in April to secure a third promotion to this level in the last five seasons.

Having seen their last two cracks at the Championship end in relegation, the challenge for Paul Warne's team this season is to stay up.

They were under pressure early on against a Swansea side seeking progress in 2022-23 having finished the last campaign in 15th.

Russell Martin's team took complete control of possession in the opening stages, twice carving half-chances for Joel Piroe, yet it was Rotherham who went in front against the run of play.

Swansea defender Kyle Naughton got his head to Wes Harding's long throw, but only succeeded in helping the ball on to Ogbene.

The Republic of Ireland forward - who was linked with a close-season move to Swansea - floated his header over the helpless Fisher to score Rotherham's first goal of the campaign.

Ogbene very nearly had the second nine minutes later, but this time Fisher was equal to an acrobatic volley.

Harry Darling (right) celebrates his memorable debut goal with his new team-mates

Swansea wobbled for a while, but the Welsh club gradually regained control of possession and equalised in memorable fashion when Grimes fed Darling 30 yards out.

The £1.4m summer recruit is a central defender with an eye for goal, and he proved as much with a sparkling effort which flew inside Viktor Johansson's left-hand post.

Swansea threatened again before the break as their other new centre-back, Nathan Wood, headed narrowly over after finding space at a set-piece.

Rotherham had the first chance of the second period, as Ogbene's measured effort was pushed beyond the far post by Fisher.

Then came Obafemi's moment to forget, as Piroe ran brilliantly from his own half and appeared to put a goal on a plate for his team-mate.

Obafemi only had to tap home at the far post - but caught the ball with his heel and the opportunity was gone.

He almost made amends when he teed up Jamie Paterson two minutes later - but his crisp effort was too close to Johansson.

Rotherham came again, with substitutes Georgie Kelly and Cohen Bramall both denied by Fisher in the final quarter of a contest which might have gone either way.

Martin was left frustrated by refereeing decisions in the closing stages - and was booked for his complaints - but both bosses can take positives after banking first points of the season.

Rotherham manager Paul Warne:

"The lads stuck to the task. These are an unbelievable set of players. They have got a £1.5m centre-half who hits one in from 30 yards, top bag. That is an absolute joke of a goal.

"Apart from that Obafemi had a really good chance, but I thought we limited them.

"I was pleased with the performance. I was pleased with the fanbase - they appreciate how difficult this league is for us and how difficult the opposition were for us.

"If you see the physical outputs of my players today, I can't be prouder. I think it's a really positive start.

"We created enough chances to potentially win the game, but we could have lost it, so there's no complaint from me."

Swansea head coach Russell Martin:

"I'm content with the performance, frustrated with the result. We created some brilliant chances.

"We are really disappointed as a group with the goal for them. Rotherham's strength is putting the ball in the box - long throws, set-pieces - and the only rime they really threatened us was when they had an opportunity to put it into the box, because we were really dominant.

"We were anxious for 10 minutes after the goal and then we had so much control for the rest of the game.

"It's a point. It gives us something to build on. The chance we had [through Obafemi] - I am not sure we will get a clearer one than that all season.

"But I think the supporters who came will have enjoyed the performance."