Match Reports

Albion 2-3 Swansea City

Conor Townsend in action against Swansea City

Albion were beaten 3-2 by Swansea City at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

Matt Sorinola’s strike ensured the Welsh team held a half-time advantage, but Albion came back to lead during the second period through Jake Livermore and Grady Diangana goals.

The Welsh side then netted twice in the last 20 minutes to claim the win – Olivier Ntcham and Michael Obafemi scoring either side of Karlan Grant’s late penalty miss.

The manager made one change to the starting XI as he swapped Jayson Molumby out for Tom Rogic – handing the Australian his Albion debut.

Swansea began brightly, though, and grabbed the lead inside six minutes when Sorinola evaded his marker and fumbled home from a corner.

It was a difficult start for the hosts, however they did start creating chances midway through the opening period. Their first came via Diangana, who saw a low shot smartly parried by Swansea goalkeeper Steven Benda.

Albion were pushing for an equaliser with the break closing in – but the unfortunate Brandon Thomas-Asante had a close-range flick saved before Diangana headed wide and Jed Wallace volleyed off-target.

Jed Wallace has a shot saved against Swansea City

The Baggies came out on the front foot and managed to level proceedings shortly after the interval. A set-piece caused havoc in the area and, following a bit of pinball, Livermore was on hand to side-foot into the bottom corner.

Jake Livermore celebrates his goal against Swansea City

And Steve Bruce’s team turned the game around on the 65-minute mark thanks to Diangana. The winger found space on the left of the box and drilled home to put his side ahead.

Grady Diangana celebrates his goal against Swansea

Swansea didn’t crumble and, instead, quickly fought back to net their second of the afternoon through substitute Ntcham’s long-range effort.

Albion pushed forward once more and were handed a golden opportunity to claim all three points 10 minutes from time. Karlan Grant, recently brought on, won a penalty and dusted himself down to take it – yet found the leg of Benda down the middle of the goal.

Frustratingly, the visitors then, in the final moments, stole the victory as Obafemi turned and finished past Button with just 60 seconds remaining.

Albion: Button; Furlong, O’Shea, Townsend, Pieters; Rogic (Molumby 57), Livermore (Yokuslu 75), Swift (Grant 75); Wallace (Phillips 90), Thomas-Asante, Diangana.

Substitutes: Palmer, Kelly, Reach.

Attendance: 22,369