West Bromwich Albion have come from behind to earn a 2-1 victory over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.
Roland Lamah had given Swansea the lead after 110 seconds, but the home side were made to pay for missing a series of chances during the opening 45 minutes.
West Brom returned for the second half with more urgency, and after Stephane Sessegnon had drilled a long-range strike into the bottom corner, Youssouf Mulumbu struck five minutes from time to win the match for the Baggies.
Read below to see how the action unfolded in Wales.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of the match between Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.
Back in August, both these sides would have been optimistic of finishing comfortably in mid-table at the end of the season, but the current campaign hasn't gone as well as either team would have hoped. Both the Swans and the Baggies are only a couple of wins from reaching a comfortable position but each loss is sucking them deeper into relegation territory as the season reaches a climax.
The team news is in from the Liberty Stadium. Full details of both lineups to follow.
SWANSEA CITY XI: Vorm; Rangel, Amat, Williams, Davies; Britton, Canas, De Guzman, Routledge, Lamah; Bony
SWANSEA CITY SUBSTITUTES: Tremmel, Tiendalli, Taylor, Hernandez, Emnes, Michu, Lita
SWANSEA CITY SUBSTITUTES: Tremmel, Tiendalli, Taylor, Hernandez, Emnes, Michu, Lita.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION XI: Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Reid, Morrison, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Ridgewell, Sessegnon, Anichebe
WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUBSTITUTES: Myhill, O'Neil, Vydra, Gera, Berahino, Sinclair, Thievy
First of all, let's take a look at the home side. Swansea head coach Garry Monk has made three changes to his starting lineup, with Jordi Amat, Jose Canas and Roland Lamah coming into the team in place of Chico Flores, Pablo Hernandez and Nathan Dyer. However, perhaps the most significant team news comes from the bench, as Michu returns to the squad for the first time since December 15.
As for the visitors, Pepe Mel has made five alterations to the side that lost 3-0 to Manchester United last weekend, with Stephane Sessegnon the most notable inclusion in attack. Mel has named an attack-minded bench too, with no less than four strikers being available if things don't go as planned in the first half.
There has hardly been a bad word said about Garry Monk since his promotion to head coach at Swansea, but his start at the club is nothing to shout about. The former defender has won just once in his seven games in charge, which came against Cardiff City in his first fixture. There appears to be no pressure on Monk whatsoever, but another defeat this afternoon would leave West Brom just a point behind the Welsh outfit.
However, despite his record only being marginally worse than Monk's start at the Liberty, Pepe Mel is under a great deal of pressure to deliver his first win as West Bromwich Albion head coach today. There has been plenty of speculation regarding his position at The Hawthorns, and if the Spaniard witnesses his team lose convincingly this afternoon, it could bring a reaction from the club's board.
If this game doesn't take your fancy, there are five other games occurring in the Premier League this afternoon, all of which can be located in the 'live football' section to the right of this commentary.
PREDICTION! Swansea have won just four games on their home patch in the Premier League this season, but it's hard to back against them securing their fifth this afternoon. The Baggies seem there for the taking and if Wilfried Bony can continue his scoring form, the Welsh side could net on a few occasions. Swansea to win 3-0.
The two teams are beginning to congregate in the tunnel. We will be underway at the Liberty Stadium in just over five minutes time.
There's a fantastic atmosphere inside the ground. Both sets of supporters are aware of how big this match really is!
Swansea get us underway.
GOAL! Swansea City 1-0 West Bromwich Albion (Lamah)
What a start for Swansea! Roland Lamah broke down the left-hand side after running behind Steven Reid, and although Reid managed to catch the winger, Lamah cut back inside him before curling a superb low effort in off the far post from 10 yards.
West Brom haven't settled into this game at all. Swansea are passing the ball about with ease, and the Baggies can't get near them. Things are going from bad to worse for Pepe Mel...
Swansea are continuing to push West Brom back onto the edge of their own 18-yard box. It's going to take a couple of heroic performances in the West Brom defence to prevent Swansea netting again in this match. Pepe Mel has already sent out a couple of substitutes to warm up.
The frustration within the West Brom ranks is there for all to see. Victor Anichebe wins a free kick on the halfway line, but he reacts angrily (and needlessly) to what was a nothing challenge.
SHOT! That's much better from Anichebe. The former Everton man rolled his defender before firing a decent strike on goal, but his effort was straight at Michel Vorm. Anichebe also appears to have picked up a knock.
SAVE! Swansea should be 2-0 up. The home side worked the ball to the left-hand side, and despite a cross finding Wilfried Bony six yards out, Ben Foster pulled off a superb stop to keep his side in the game.
Swansea push forward once again, and after a cross from the right was only cleared to the edge of the penalty area, Roland Lamah's goal-bound effort was excellently blocked by Gareth McAuley.
Roland Lamah has sometimes flattered to deceive for Swansea, but he has had a terrific game so far. After his work down the left helped earn his team a corner, the winger rose at the back post to head marginally wide. West Brom are continuing to live dangerously.
BOOKING! Victor Anichebe goes into the book for a studs-up challenge on Leon Britton. He contests the decision, but I have no idea why. He could very easily have received a red.
Anichebe's attitude has been shocking this afternoon. After losing the ball on the halfway line, he fails to track back and it allows Swansea to create a crossing opportunity through Wayne Routledge, but his delivery just avoids Roland Lamah at the back post.
West Brom enjoy a small spell of possession, but after making inroads in the final third, Graham Dorrans was dispossessed. Up the other end, Jose Canas tries a rather ambitious attempt from 30 yards, but the ball flies into the stands.
The action is being restricted for the middle of the pitch for the time being and it's only inviting challenges from both teams. Graham Dorrans was extremely lucky to avoid a card, probably a red, for a studs-up tackle on Ben Davies, but the referee deemed it a fair attempt.
SHOT! Swansea waste another excellent opportunity! Again, Roland Lamah was at the forefront of the attack, but his pull back to Jonathan de Guzman was diverted wide of the post from eight yards. Will they be made to pay for their indecisiveness in front of goal?
There are less than five minutes to go to the break, and despite being behind, West Brom will be happy to get into half time with just the one-goal deficit. Swansea should be out of sight.
BOOKING! Steven Reid slides in late on Roland Lamah, and referee Martin Atkinson is quick to hand him a yellow card. Correct decision.
CHANCE! Another chance goes begging! A corner was whipped into the box for Ashley Williams who, under no pressure from a West Brom defender, could only head the ball over the crossbar. The look on his face suggests that he knows that effort should have found the back of the net.
HALF TIME: Swansea City 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
The half-time whistle goes at the Liberty Stadium and Swansea City hold a deserved 1-0 advantage over West Bromwich Albion. Given the amount of opportunities that the Swans have created, this match should be done and dusted as a contest, but while the score remains at 1-0, West Brom still have a chance.
Swansea had 10 shots on goal during that opening 45 minutes, but they only managed to hit the target twice. As you can imagine, Garry Monk's team are dominating the possession stats too, keeping hold of the ball for a pass-tastic 66% of the time.
I don't envisage any changes to the Swansea lineup for the second half, but Pepe Mel could opt to introduce one of his attacking options. Maybe Scott Sinclair can have an impact against his former side?
West Brom get the second half underway.
West Brom get the second half underway.
Rather surprisingly, West Brom have started the second half well on top, and Swansea are on the rack. No chances of note so far though.
GOAL! Swansea City 1-1 West Bromwich Albion (Sessegnon)
A one goal lead is never safe. West Brom were abysmal during the first half, but they have started the second at a frenetic pace and they have got their reward. Stephane Sessegnon received the ball 25 yards out, and after taking a touch forward, he drilled the ball into the bottom corner. Game on.
I'm stating the obvious, but this match could go either way now. Swansea look shell-shocked and West Brom are very much the team in the ascendancy. The travelling support are buoyant!
West Brom work the ball around nicely in Swansea's half, before giving an opportunity to Victor Anichebe to get a shot in on goal. However, he never looked in control of the ball and his effort went high into the stands.
The introduction of Michu is imminent. Will that improve a lethargic second-half showing from the Swans?
Swansea have a huge penalty shout, but the referee has decided otherwise. The ball was volleyed straight at Gareth McAuley from point-blank range and it struck him on the arm, perhaps preventing a goal in the process, but nothing was given. Michu is on.
The home crowd are beginning to get on the back of their own side, which isn't going to help matters. However, it tells you everything that you need to know about their performance since the break.
A couple of potentially important goals have gone in at Craven Cottage and Goodison Park over the past few minutes. Everton have taken the lead against Cardiff City, while Fulham, who desperately need three points, are ahead against Newcastle United.
CHANCE! Jonathan de Guzman hasn't had one of his better games today, but a quick turn of foot takes him through on goal but his driven effort is straight at Ben Foster. Lucky escape for the Baggies.
Zolten Gera is being readied by Pepe Mel. The West Brom engine room are performing well, so I am interested to see who is being withdrawn. It looks like Graham Dorrans.
SUBSTITUTION! As well as Gera entering the action, Swansea are taking the opportunity to introduce Pablo Hernandez for Roland Lamah, who looks to have picked up a knock.
Just 10 minutes to go at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea are starting to make a little more headway in attack, but the clear-cut chances are few and far between. West Brom still have a say in this match, though.
If the results stay the same for the remaining few minutes, there will be two points separating the bottom four teams in the standings. It's getting tight!
GOAL! Swansea City 1-2 West Bromwich Albion (Mulumbu)
Talk about speaking too soon! West Bromwich Albion take the lead at the Liberty Stadium thanks to a remarkable cool finish from Youssouf Mulumbu. The midfielder advanced towards goal before sliding the ball along the ground and in off the post for his second goal of the season. Can West Brom hold on?
Swansea are struggling to offer any kind of response. To be honest, they look beaten. However, West Brom have only won four games this season, so it might not be straightforward getting over the line.
There will be four minutes of added-on time.
Swansea are probing, but they can't get an effort on goal. West Brom just have one more minute to hold out.
Swansea are probing, but they can't get an effort on goal. West Brom just have one more minute to hold out.
FULL TIME: Swansea City 1-2 West Bromwich Albion
What a massive result for West Bromwich Albion and Pepe Mel. They have come from behind to beat Swansea City 2-1, and in the process, haul the Welsh side back into a relegation scrap.
Some games are yet to finish, but as it stands, the Baggies have moved three points clear of the relegation zone. These three points has kept Pepe Mel in a job.
That will be all from Sports Mole this afternoon. Thank you for joining us for what turned out to be what can only be described as a game of two halves. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
