Swansea’s 10 men defended heroically to frustrate Premier League relegation rivals Huddersfield in a goalless stalemate at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Fevered expectation among the home fans following the early dismissal of Swansea forward Jordan Ayew gave way to frustration as the visitors repelled wave after wave of attacks.
Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski produced a world-class save to keep out Huddersfield striker Steve Mounie’s second-half volley and Tom Ince’s last-minute header bounced up against a post.
But Huddersfield’s task appeared to have been made a whole lot easier in the 11th minute when the Welsh side were reduced to 10 men.
Ayew lunged in studs up on Jonathan Hogg, catching the Terriers midfielder halfway up his shin and referee Michael Oliver did not take long to brandish a straight red card.
Town looked to quickly capitalise and Hogg’s shot was blocked before Christopher Schindler’s header sailed over.
For all the Terriers’ dominance, Ince’s 45th-minute free-kick – easily held by Swansea goalkeeper Fabianski – was their first effort on target.
Hogg crashed a low 30-yard shot just wide soon after the restart as Huddersfield resumed their siege on the Swansea goal.
What a brave display! ??? #HUDSWA#Swans earn a valuable point after playing most the game with ? men. pic.twitter.com/cB39Yc39ul
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) March 10, 2018
Town left-back Scott Malone wasted the game’s best chance when he completely missed the excellent Florent Hadergjonaj’s cross from in front of goal.
Mounie twice went close in quick succession, firing Hadergjonaj’s cut-back into the side-netting before forcing Fabianski into a brilliant reaction save with a volley from inside the area.
Hadergjonaj curled a shot agonisingly wide direct from Mooy’s low corner, Mounie directed another header off target and Malone’s shot was blocked by Swans centre-half Mike van der Hoorn.
Both clubs were in English football’s bottom tier in the 2003/4 season and, on this evidence, have plenty of fight left in them as they bid to preserve their top-flight status.
DW: “we’re frustrated about the result, but the boys did everything right apart from score. We hit the bar and post three times and missed other chances. Sometimes you need luck and that wasn’t on our side today” #htafc (DTS) pic.twitter.com/o7jLfcaPrA
— Huddersfield Town (@htafcdotcom) March 10, 2018
Swansea, buoyed by last week’s biggest win of the season against West Ham, hardly stepped foot out of their own half, but refused to buckle.
Huddersfield, hoping to make their top-flight status as secure as possible before a daunting run-in, never took their foot off the pedal.
Swansea, beaten only once now in 14 matches, were content to let the home side have the ball and, save for a handful of clear chances, held on for the point they travelled north for.
