Hull City hung on for a precious away point at the Liberty Stadium, where they earned a 1-1 draw with Swansea City. Danny Graham put the Tigers in front, but a second half goal by Chico Flores brought the Swans level and only the final whistle saved them from giving away a point as the home side pressed late for a winner.
Swansea vs. Hull City: Final score 1-1, Tigers hang on for valuable draw
Swansea came on late, but Hull held on for a draw that should help them as they try to avoid relegation.
It took less than 10 minutes for Hull to go in front and it was a peach of a goal to boot. The Tigers capitalized on a bad Swansea give away and got to ball to Ahmed Elmohamady on the right, where the Egyptian hit an inch perfect cross to the back post for Graham. A one-touch finish is all it took for Graham to tally against his former team and the Tigers had themselves a lead.
The Tigers pressed even with their early goal and could have doubled their lead, but their final ball and finishing betrayed them for much of the rest of the first half. That almost came back to haunt them after the break, as the Swans grabbed the upperhand.
Down a goal, Swansea sent men forward as they chased an equalizer in the beginning of the second half, but it didn’t look like a goal would come. They were entirely uncreative, failing to do anything more than hit hopeful crosses into the box as their more elegant attempts at creating opportunities failed, but a set piece finally delivered them the goals they desired.
Jonjo Shelvey hit a short corner that came right back to him and he blasted the ball just a couple feet off the ground to the middle. At such an awkward height, Hull could not clear and the ball hit off the thigh of an unknowing Flores and into the net to bring Swansea level.
Swansea, who have been much more potent in the second half all season, continued to press, but it was actually Hull who came closest to scoring in the final half-four when Dwight Tiendalli should have been whistled for a handball in the box. Replays showed he clearly handled the ball, but the referee waved play on and Swansea resumed their domination.
For all of Seansea’s possession and chances, they couldn’t find the net again. They just missed on the final ball time and time again, leaving them to settle for a draw and Hull to celebrate a hard earned away point as they continue to battle for survival.
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