MX23RW : Thursday, March 27 21:43:04| >> :120:12433:12433:

Bartosz Bialkowski in inspired form to help Millwall earn point at Swansea

Bartosz Bialkowski in inspired form to help Millwall earn point at Swansea
© Reuters
The Swans are yet to win at home in the league under Russell Martin.

Swansea were held 0-0 for the second successive Sky Bet Championship home game as Millwall goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski proved the Lions' hero.

Bialkowski made several excellent second-half saves to deny Swansea a first home league win under Russell Martin, with his 90th-minute stop from Liam Walsh's free-kick the pick of the bunch.

Swansea had been held to a goalless draw by Hull on Saturday and Millwall were still waiting for their first away win this season.

So it was perhaps no surprise the first half was devoid of goalmouth action with Swansea enjoying 70 per cent possession but unable to fashion clear openings.

Millwall created the first chance of a cautious contest when George Saville's shot was blocked by Ryan Bennett after a spot of head tennis in the Swansea box.

Joel Piroe had a similar attempt smothered at the other end before the Dutch striker was involved in the best move of the first period.

Piroe exchanged passes with Matt Grimes and Ryan Manning but Murray Wallace reacted quickly to clear the danger.

Manning volleyed over as Swansea finally found their way into the Lions' penalty area and Jamie Paterson skewed over after Ethan Laird had muscled his way down the right.

Laird's strong running won a free-kick at the start of the second half which Grimes sent goalwards for Bialkowski to produce an acrobatic stop.

Jed Wallace and Saville fired over as Millwall summoned some attacking intent and Tom Bradshaw had their first on-target effort after controlling the ball well on his chest.

But the Wales striker's effort was straight at Ben Hamer and the Swansea goalkeeper gathered comfortably.

Swansea were seeking inspiration and it came in the form of substitute Michael Obafemi, who replaced Olivier Ntcham after 63 minutes.

Obafemi's running through the middle energised the home crowd and his link play allowed Piroe to advance and unleash a shot which Bialkowski pushed around the post.

Bialkowski was forced into another save moments later as Grimes' drive arrowed towards the bottom corner of his net.

The game was held up by a collision between Paterson and Lions defender Dan Ballard which saw both players leave the action.

Swansea were inches from taking the lead when Obafemi accepted Walsh's pass and rolled the ball wide of the upright.

Millwall's response was to slice open the home defence as Connor Mahoney and Scott Malone combined superbly down the left and Bradshaw was denied by the fast-advancing Hamer.

Swansea's last chance came when Obafemi won a free-kick right on the edge of the area and Bialkowski dived to his left to extend Millwall's unbeaten run to four games.

ID:463868:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4156:
Written by
P A
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough on March 31, 2021
Read Next:
Ian Baraclough urges Northern Ireland's youth to shine after Stuart Dallas blow
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds382311476255180
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd38257653282580
3Burnley382115252114178
4Sunderland381912755371869
5Coventry CityCoventry38178135548759
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381318748341457
7Bristol City38141594941857
8Middlesbrough38159145748954
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn38157164240252
10Watford38157164751-452
11Millwall381312133739-251
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38149155359-651
13Norwich CityNorwich381213136054649
14Preston North EndPreston381017113944-547
15Queens Park RangersQPR381112154450-645
16Swansea CitySwansea38128183849-1144
17Portsmouth38119184661-1542
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd381012163955-1642
19Hull City381011173947-841
20Stoke CityStoke38912173751-1439
21Cardiff CityCardiff38912174262-2039
22Derby CountyDerby38108204051-1138
23Luton TownLuton3898213460-2635
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth38712194077-3733


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!