English Premiership
Swansea draw with Sunderland
2012-09-01 18:44
Swansea - Swansea's perfect start to this
Premier League season ended on Saturday as Steven Fletcher's first two
goals for Sunderland saw the visitors to a 2-2 draw at the Liberty
Stadium.
Scotland striker Fletcher, a 12 million signing from
Wolves, scored twice in the first half, either side of Wayne Routledge's
goal for Swansea -- who would have gone top of the table if they had
won.
Michu scored his fourth goal in three games for the hosts to level the match at 2-2.
But
the Swans then lost defender Chico Flores to a red card for a wild
challenge having, before a goal was scored, seen Neil Taylor carried off
on a stretcher after his leg buckled awkwardly after a challenge with
Craig Gardner.
Great Britain left-back Taylor required prolonged treatment and was given oxygen as he received attention for an ankle injury.
Swansea
capitalised on defensive errors in wins over QPR and West Ham, but a
mistake of their own five minutes before the break saw Sunderland take
the lead.
Ashley Williams stubbed his back pass into the ground and Fletcher ran in on goal to shoot low beyond Michel Vorm.
Swansea
levelled as six minutes of stoppage time began. The in-form duo of
Nathan Dyer and Routledge, linked again as the former's scooped pass
allowed the latter to score with a volley.
But before the break
Sebastian Larsson's free-kick found Fletcher, who tapped home at the
back post to give Sunderland a half-time lead.
Michu came close to
adding to his tally as his header into the ground from Johnathan de
Guzman's cross bounced up and just over the bar.
But the same duo brought Swansea level in the 66th minute when Michu powered in a header from de Guzman's cross.
Swansea's
comeback was halted when Chico was dismissed for a wild high-footed
challenge that grazed substitute Louis Saha's head.