Swansea City 1-2 Middlesbrough: Late Silvera strike sinks managerless hosts
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Middlesbrough's Sam Greenwood celebrates his goal against Swansea City
Samuel Silvera struck late on as Middlesbrough ended their three-game losing run by beating managerless Swansea City.
Sam Greenwood put Boro ahead in the final stages of the first half before Jamal Lowe's header on 59 minutes made it 1-1.
But substitute Silvera netted from a free-kick following a mistake from Carl Rushworth to inflict a first defeat on caretaker boss Alan Sheehan's Swans.
Swansea sit 18th while Boro are 13th.
Taking charge of the Swans on home soil for the first time, Sheehan brought in Bashir Humphreys and Liam Walsh - with Charlie Patino and Jerry Yates dropping to the bench.
Michael Carrick's sole change from his side's 2-1 defeat by Hull City saw Alex Bangura replace Lukas Engel.
The Swansea faithful were encouraged by their side's intent from the outset following a flat showing at Stoke City four days earlier.
Walsh - making only his second start of the season - crossed for Josh Key who was unable to guide his header on target early on.
Walsh was fully justifying Sheehan's call to draft him back into the starting line-up and sent in a teasing free-kick which Humphreys could only head wide after pipping Seny Dieng to an aerial duel.
Swansea then carved Boro wide open as Josh Tymon sent Lowe free on the left, but Walsh's passed effort trickled wide.
Boro desperately struggled to get a foothold in the contest, and even when Greenwood found space to shoot from just outside the six yard box, Rushworth was well positioned to palm the effort to safety.
Sheehan's name was chanted by a large section of fans in the east stand for a prolonged period in the first half as the hosts showed a kind of confidence rarely displayed during Michael Duff's tenure as boss.
But a lack of killer instinct in the final third will have been frustrating for the Swans - typified when Key was unable to prod Jay Fulton's curling strike into the net at the back post.
And they were emphatically punished for failing to take their chances two minutes before half time as Matt Crooks threaded through to Greenwood who coolly slotted beyond Rushworth to put Middlesbrough ahead against the run of play.
Indeed, Swansea had won just two of their 10 home Championship fixtures prior to the visit of Carrick's outfit.
But they set about rectifying that dreadful record and levelled proceedings 14 minutes into the second half.
Tymon found space on the left flank and crossed for Lowe who headed beyond goalkeeper Dieng.
The game duly became more stretched as both sides pushed for a winner - with Rushworth doing well to deny Isaiah Jones.
Morgan Rogers, Silvera and Engel replaced Bangura, Crooks and Greenwood shortly after Ollie Cooper came on for Walsh.
And Middlesbrough were presented with a glorious opening to regain the lead when Rushworth conceded a free-kick on the edge of his own six yard box for picking up a Harry Darling back pass.
Silvera - just six minutes after entering the fray - grasped the opportunity with both hands and rifled home in front of the Middlesbrough supporters to make it 2-1.
Yannick Bolasie and Yates were summoned from the bench as Swansea searched for an equaliser, but - after Jones drilled against the bar in added time - they tasted defeat for the first time since parting company with Duff while Boro secured only a second win in six matches.
Swansea City caretaker manager Alan Sheehan: "I thought we were really good for large amounts today, especially that first half.
"You come off losing the game and it's disappointed. But this is about putting Swansea City in a better place.
"Where we want to get to, I think we all have something in common, where we want to get to. We know it's going to be hard work."
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick: "I'm delighted with the boys, their effort and spirit.
"It didn't come easy, it wasn't a free flowing performance. Sometimes you've got to find a way.
"We had to dig in and we came back from them scoring. We found a way."