Swansea City 0-0 Birmingham City: Lacklustre Swans escape with a stalemate

By Jared Parry

SWANSEA City failed to build on their midweek away victory over Peterborough, as they were held to a 0-0 draw by 20th placed Birmingham City.

The Swans drafted Manchester City loanee Finley Burns into defence for the youngster’s second start for the club after Flynn Downes was unavailable and there was further disruption for the home side when Jamie Paterson picked up an injury in the warm up, resulting in a start for Korey Smith.

In the fifth minute, Olivier Ntcham put a pass in behind the Birmingham defence, with Hannes Wolf latching onto kit but rifling his shot across the face of goal.

Birmingham came agonisingly close as Tatith Chong got in behind the Swansea defence, squaring the ball to Juninho Bacuna who powered a golden opportunity over the bar.

Swansea hit back with Wolf slotting a pass to Joel Piroe whose low shot was parried well by former Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

Just before half-time Onel Hernandez found his way into Swansea’s box, whipping in a powerful ball which Chong headed over from close range.

As the second half progressed Birmingham continued piling on the pressure without being able to hit the target.

When Maxime Colin fired a close range volley wide the Blues were dominating.

There were a glut of opportunities for the visitors, but they just couldn’t capitalise.

Swansea’s Michael Obafemi, quiet throughout the game, had a golden chance against the run of play late on, but he slipped as he approached the ball which summed up the Swans’ day.

Even the normally reliable Piroe squandered a chance before the final whistle when he smashed a shot straight at Etheridge.