Summary

  • Caretaker boss Steve Agnew in charge of Middlesbrough

  • Swansea lost only once at home under Clement since January

  • Swansea five points ahead of Boro, who are in bottom three

  1. 'These players are Wenger's sons'published at 14:36 British Summer Time 2 April 2017

    Martin Keown
    Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 live

    The uncertainty at Arsenal is not helping these players at all. 

    There are about 10 players whose contracts are up in 12 months' time. I think if they had won the league last year it would be different. I think they would have signed contracts and Wenger would have been able to get away with a blip season. 

    Arsene Wenger's philosophy is to shower his players with love. They play for the man and that's Wenger. You can't say anything bad about his players. They are his sons and he will protect them. When you threaten to take that love away, they will start to collapse. 

  2. KICK-OFFpublished at 45 mins

    Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Here we go then, back up and running in the relegation clash at the Liberty. Will it be a mistake or a piece of magic which finally ends the drought?

    That was the 20th time that Boro have failed to score in the first half of a game this season. 

  3. 'A pivotal clash'published at 14:29 British Summer Time 2 April 2017

    Arsenal v Manchester City (16:00 BST)

    Steve Wilson
    Match of the Day commentator

    Two meetings in three weeks between Arsenal and Manchester City look pivotal to both clubs' seasons.

    If Arsene Wenger finds himself at a crossroads, so do some members of City's staff. It's hard to see anything other than a major Etihad clearout in the summer, with Pep Guardiola having judged a squad with an ageing core and found it wanting.

    Guardiola will firmly believe that a golden time lies ahead - conjuring images of Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus thrilling fans and haunting opponents.

    Think of Wenger's wonder years at Arsenal and the images are of Tony Adams, Marc Overmars, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira framed by that familiar Highbury backdrop.

    These are certainly great memories of some of the finest football played on English fields - but they are memories of a different time and a different place.

  4. Postpublished at 14:29 British Summer Time 2 April 2017

    Arsenal v Manchester City (16:00 BST)

    Still a big game in the Premier League to come of course...a

  5. Postpublished at 14:28 British Summer Time 2 April 2017

    Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Swansea's youth/reserve team are parading the Premier League 2 Division 2 title on the Liberty Stadium pitch.

    Is the future bright for the Swans?  

  6. Big crowd at Wembleypublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 2 April 2017

    Coventry v Oxford (14:30 BST)

    WembleyImage source, PA

    Not interested, not interested, not interested, not interested, not interested, not interested, not interested, not interested, not interested, not interested, not interested, not interested, not interested, we're in the final?!

    Get me a ticket!

    Follow the EFL Trophy final here.

  7. Get involvedpublished at 14:22 British Summer Time 2 April 2017

    #bbcfootball or text 81111

    Jeet Padaruth: Both teams should be relegated after that first half. Yikes.

  8. champagne moment

    CHAMPAGNE MOMENTpublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 2 April 2017
    Breaking

    Celtic are champions!

    You could have put the champagne on ice back in August to be honest, but now the party can officially start. Celtic beat Hearts 5-0 to win the title.

    Follow all of the reaction here. 

  9. HALF-TIMEpublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 2 April 2017

    Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

    The chance of a breakaway, a poor touch, end of the half. 

  10. 'A cagey game'published at 14:16 British Summer Time 2 April 2017

    Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Leon Britton
    Swansea City midfielder

    Steve's right. When we get into that final third we need to look at a different cross. Maybe something along the floor rather than over the heads? 

    Both teams don't want to lose the game - that's massively important - and it's a pretty cagey game because of that. 

    I think if we raise the level 5-10%, there could be a good chance for us to take an opening goal. 

  11. Get involvedpublished at 14:15 British Summer Time 2 April 2017

    #bbcfootball or text 81111

    Gavin Witt: Gestede scored the winner on his Villa debut at Dean Court in the 1st match of their relegation doomed season 

    He did! I remember that. Don't believe everything you read online. 

    Rudy GestedeImage source, Getty Images
  12. Postpublished at 44 mins

    Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Both sides look ready for half time. A shot on target before the break would be nice. 

  13. 'Swansea are snatching at things'published at 14:13 British Summer Time 2 April 2017

    Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Steve Claridge
    Ex-Leicester striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I am seeing a lack of patience now from Swansea. When they get the ball into the final third, they seem to be just be snatching at things and that might be down to a lack of confidence. 

  14. Postpublished at 14:10 British Summer Time 2 April 2017

    Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales at the Liberty Stadium

    With the pace of the game faltering a little after a breathless start, Swansea fans do at least have the consolation of being able to jeer a couple of former Cardiff players.

    Boro's left-back Fabio has been booked for a foul on Luciano Narsingh, much to the delight of the home crowd.

    And following Gaston Ramirez's injury, another former Bluebird, Rudy Gestede, has entered the fray to the sound of boos.

  15. Postpublished at 40 mins

    Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

    A drinks break and Alfie Mawson has had to take a layer off. It's spring alright. 

    Paul ClementImage source, Reuters
  16. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 38 mins

    Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Boro started with an attacking line-up and it's about to get even more gung-ho. The injured Gaston Ramirez can't continue so human lighthouse Rudy Gestede is on. A genuine front two now then. 

    Did I read somewhere the other day that he's never played in a Premier League win, for three clubs? Possible. 

  17. CLOSE!published at 34 mins

    Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

    A limping Gaston Ramirez is back with us, he doesn't look too sure but he's out there. Swansea continue to dominate possession but without Fernando Llorente they have no target when they get the ball wide.

    The cross has to come back to Tom Carroll, about 22 yards out, instead. But it's nearly a great option as the former Spurs man slashes a shot narrowly wide. A fizzing shot into the side netting. 

    Tom CarrollImage source, Reuters
  18. Postpublished at 32 mins

    Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Riveting stuff so far.

    Steve GibsonImage source, Reuters
  19. Postpublished at 14:02 British Summer Time 2 April 2017

    Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Leon Britton
    Swansea City midfielder

    It's been a good spell for Swansea - not many opportunities being created from open play, more from set pieces at the moment, but we need to take advantage of these areas in which we are dominating. 

    Paul ClementImage source, Reuters
  20. Postpublished at 30 mins

    Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Boro have lost their way, they can't keep the ball at all at the moment. Gaston Ramirez is down holding his ankle and Stewart Downing is happy to launch it into touch. Regroup. 

    Swansea 0-0 MiddlesbroughImage source, Getty Images