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Premier League
Aug 20, 2016 at 3pm UK
 
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Live Commentary: Swansea City 0-2 Hull City - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's coverage as Hull City strike late on to earn back-to-back wins in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over hosts Swansea City.
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Swansea City welcomed the visit of Hull City to the Liberty Stadium in the Premier League as both sides sought to kick on from opening-day victories last weekend.

The Swans dominated much of the game in Wales but were unable to make things count in the final third, leaving Mike Phelan's men to produce some standout counter-attacking play to steal all three points late on with a 2-0 victory.

Relive all of the action from the Liberty Stadium with our minute-by-minute updates below.


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Good afternoon all and thank you for joining us as we bring you live coverage of Swansea City's Premier League clash with Hull City at the Liberty Stadium in Wales.

Both of these sides remain unbeaten after the first round of fixtures in the new campaign. Hull produced the first real shock of the season as they produced an industrious display to down champions Leicester City, while Swansea battled to a 1-0 victory away at newly-promoted Burnley.

Swans boss Francesco Guidolin has arguably been one of the standout performers in the Premier League when you look back over the current year, having steadied the club following the departure of club legend Garry Monk. Since taking over in January, the manager has been able to claim 28 Premier League points, which represents more than Arsenal, West Ham and Manchester City.

You have to feel slightly sorry for Hull given the tumultuous summer that they have endured. They do not appear to be feeling too sorry for themselves, though, and Mike Phelan has so far done a tremendous job in trying to galvanise what little he has left of the club's squad. As it stands, they have just 13 fit senior players to choose from.

With that said, the Tigers showed so much courage last weekend to take all three points off Leicester, who at times appear rattled when challenged with the high press and energy from Phelan's charges.

The Tigers do not have the best of records going into their second league games, though. Statistics show that the club has never won back-to-back Premier League fixtures at the start of a new season.The last occasion that they started a league season with two wins came back in 2004-05, but that was down in the third tier of English football.

Time for some team news now...

SWANSEA CITY STARTING XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Amat, Kingsley; Cork, Fer; Barrow, Sigurdsson, Routledge; Llorente

SWANSEA CITY SUBSTITUTES: Nordfeldt, Rangel, van der Horron, Ki, Fulton, Dyer, Montero

HULL CITY STARTING XI: Jakupovic; Elmohamady, Livermore, Davies, Robertson, Meyler, Huddlestone, Clucas, Snodgrass, Hernandez, Diomande

HULL CITY SUBSTITUTES: Kuciak, Maloney, Tymon, Bowen, Luer, Olley, Clackstone

The Swans have made just one change then following their victory over Burnley last weekend. Leon Britton is missing through illness, but that has made way for Icelandic hero Gylfi Sigurdsson to make his return to the Premier League this afternoon. Club-record signing Borja Baston is still missing through injury, but Ki Sung-yueng is back amongst the substitutes. As for Neil Taylor, he misses out completely due to returning late to pre-season following his Welsh contribution at Euro 2016.

For the visitors, Phelan has named an unchanged eleven to feature today at the Liberty. This group of players put in a standout team effort to beat Leicester and their stand-in boss will be hoping for more of the same energy today. It had been rumoured that Harry Maguire might just have made the bench following a foot injury, but he remains out of the squad as he continues his recovery. The Tigers will be looking to the likes of Abel Hernandez and Adama Diomande for some firepower up front, while Robert Snodgrass will be aiming to progress after his impressive showing last weekend.

This month tends to be a profitable one for Swansea. They are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League matches played in the month of August. Today's hosts also have a pretty positive record at home in recent months. The Swans have not lost in five home matches since losing against Southampton back in February.

Away contests have arguably been the weak point for Hull City in recent times. The Tigers scored just 22 goals in 23 away games in the Championship last time out. In fact, only seven sides produced fewer on the road in the league last term.

Without trying to put a dampener on Hull's chances this campaign, the club also won on the opening day of their last conquest in the Premier League during the 2014-15 season, before going on to record just one victory from their following 16 league fixtures.

Regardless of last weekend's win over Burnley, Guidolin must be slightly frustrated at how things have panned out. The coach has lost both Ashley Williams and Andre Ayew – arguably the club's two best players – while also having to deal with the late return of some staff and the injury to record signing Baston. That said, if they can start positively, things are only going to get better as his key charges return to action.

The Swansea manager has been speaking about the departure of some players, here's what he had to say, according to BBC Sport: "I was used to this at [previous club] Udinese. Every year we changed a lot of players, the best go, the young players arrive.I am used to working in this way. I was happy last season, at the moment it is the same with this group. It is different, but I am happy. There is a good feeling between me and my players."

Phelan has been speaking to the press too, and you might argue that he appears a tad frustrated at the lack of progress in bringing in some new faces at club: "We face another game with the same group of players. I mentioned last week that it could have been a big week this week but not a lot has happened. Everything gets tighter and tighter and the days are ticking away."

Here's a quick glimpse of what it's like in the away dressing room this afternoon. We're hearing that the weather in Wales isn't too good, with some pretty strong winds expected at the Liberty:


Swansea had rolled out this little beauty a little earlier this afternoon, but the club's Twitter has since stated that the merchandise trailer has now been closed because of the high winds:


The defensive partnership between Jake Livermore and Curtis Davies for Hull will be an interesting one to watch this afternoon. Livermore is basically a stand-in at the moment, but the pair did brilliantly to keep out both Jamie Vardy and Ahmed Musa last weekend.

Leroy Fer appears to be growing into his role and Swansea and you can see just how much he is appreciated by his teammates and manager following his late goal against Burnley. One slightly worrying thing for the Swans is that lack of firepower going forward in Ayew's absence. Baston could change that in the coming months, but it's a tough ask for Llorente on his own at the moment.

You feel that Sigurdsson's return has come just at the right time following Britton's illness. The Icelandic midfielder played an instrumental part in the country's progress at Euro 2016 and he will be aiming to slot right back into this side today. His set-pieces are just as crucial as what he can do going forward with the ball at his feet.

The Swans have a pretty good record against Hull when playing at the Liberty. Swansea have never lost to the Tigers at the ground, having won two of four encounters across all competitions.

PREDICTION! We've got just under 10 minutes to go now and it is time for me to make a prediction. For all of Hull's industry last weekend I think that contest might just be a touch beyond them. That game will surely have taken it out of Phelan's men and I believe Swansea might have a bit too much for them with their possessional style of play. I think the battle will likely be won in the middle where Swansea have that rotating three looking to dictate terms. I'm going for 2-1 to the home side.

These sides last faced up in the Premier League during the 2014-15 campaign, where Swansea rose victorious on both occasions. Hull did, however, managed to beat the Swans 13 months ago in the League Cup.

Not long to go now and the pitch at the Liberty is looking rather fresh:


Quick fun fact before we get going: last weekend Hull became the first team to win a Premier League contest without making a substitution since Manchester United in February 2012!

The sides are now in the tunnel as we await the start of the contest. Swansea are to feature in all white, while Hull are in their traditional orange and black stripes. As we head out onto the pitch, the Liberty is filled with song!

KICKOFF! Swansea get us moving here, kicking from right to left. It's a fairly attacking start as the home side make some progress down the right before working it across to the left. Hull stand firm, however, as Livermore nips in to take charge on the edge of the area.

Swansea aim to exploit the right-hand side in the early stages with both Naughton and Barrow looking to get in behind. Robertson has things covered for now, until Barrow sends in a cross towards the back-post that has just a little too much on it for Fer to reach in time.

It has been all Swansea thus far as they aim to mount some pressure on this Hull defence. The visitors are sticking to their guns at the minute and there's no way through for the Swans. Hull aim to spring a counter through Hernandez, but he is upended by Fernandez who luckily escapes an early yellow card just inside the Swansea half.

OFF THE BAR! Swansea ping the ball forward where Routledge brings it down for an in-coming Sigurdsson, who waits for the bounce before unleashing a lethal volley towards the top corner. Thankfully for Hull, Jakupovic gets the slightest of touches on the ball and is able to tip the effort onto the frame of the goal. What a save from the Hull stopper...

Hull make their most positive move forward now and it comes as Snodgrass lays the ball off for midfielder Sam Clucas, who winds up an effort that is soon blocked on its way to goal.

CLOSE! The Tigers perhaps give a little too much time now to Amat, who decides to have a go from all of 35 yards out. The midfielder's effort appears goal bound, until Jakupovic gets across just in time to make a strong save down low.

Cork has been impressive early on here and he appears to be the crux of where most of these Swansea attacks are coming from. Barrow this time makes some progress down the right, but Robertson does really well to get across and prevent the winger causing problems in the box.

CLOSE! Perhaps the best chance of the game... Diomande breaks away on the counter for Hull and it appears that he has the better of Amat as he twists and turns in the area. The away striker finally finds some space to get his shot away, but he is eventually off balance and skews wide without troubling Fabianski.

Both sides have had good chances now and this contest is just starting to hot up a little. It appears that Hull are more comfortable with waiting for those chances on the counter, while Swansea seem to be doing most of the possessional stuff. Some good progress from Kingsley down the left ends up in a throw, which Llorente brings down superbly in the box to lay off to Fer, whose effort flies over the bar under pressure from Davies.

The flanks are opening up and it is Swansea who exploit the space through Naughton. The full-back gallops forward but eventually lets Llorente down with a woeful ball into the area. He needed to do a lot better there, a great run thwarted by poor execution.

The home side are just upping the pressure ever-so slightly as they edge forward with some good spells of possession. Hull haven't quite been able to keep the ball when they win it back, which is playing straight into Swansea's hands at the minute. A quick moved forward between Barrow and Sigurdsson sees the ball land with Sigurdsson, but he cannot adjust his feet in time to get the shot away under the challenge of Davies.

CLOSE! Almost exactly what Hull were looking for as Fernandez does too much in the Hull area before being robbed. The counter sees Diomande race away towards goal, but he takes a few too many touches and Swansea get numbers back at the vital moment before regaining possession.

Swansea mount another attack of their own, which breaks down with the ball falling into the path of Cork. The youngster winds up a speculative effort that flashes across the face of goal and wide.

CLOSE! Hernandez shows his strength for Hull with a marauding run forwards. He's challenged in the box by Amat, with the ball almost squirming into the path of Diomande. Luckily for Swansea, Fabianski rushes off his line in time to gather. Great reading of the game there from the keeper.

More pressure from the hosts amounts to a free kick on the edge of the area. The ball into the box is cleared as far as Routledge, who swings another delivery into the box. Llorente rises highest but his flick-on fails to threaten and Hull see things out for a goal kick.

CHANCE! Barrow is working wonders now over on the right. The winger swings a ball into the area where Routledge brings it under control. With his back to goal, the creative man attempts a cheeky back-heel, although he gets it all wrong and the ball goes wide of the target. Llorente, who was in space, doesn't look best pleased.

CLOSE! Continual possession sees Swansea made inroads down the right channel, where the ball is sent in towards Llorente. The Spaniard beats his marker to head the ball towards goal, but the effort is far too tame and loops over the bar without troubling Jakupovic. He should have done much better.

PENALTY SHOUT! Hull come away on the break and the ball goes wide to Snodgrass, who eventually cuts inside to try and beat Amat. The defender goes down and it looks like he takes the legs of the Hull winger with him. The defender is very lucky there, that looks like a definite penalty with the replay...

Despite Swansea's dominance, Phelan might not be too downbeat about the way things have played out. HIs side have looked dangerous on the counter attack and the hosts will need to be wary as the game progresses.

Yet more pressure down the right sees another cross into the box cleared desperately this time by Hull. The ball drops to Sigurdsson whose effort is deflected for a corner. The set-piece comes to nothing, however, as Hull head clear at the first attempt.

The visitors seek to create an opportunity on the right with Snodgrass and Hernandez, but the latter moves too early and is flagged for offside. We're going to have two minutes of first-half stoppage time...

Naughton drifts inside for the first time and he finds himself in space in the area. He probably has more time than he thinks as he flashes wildly and the ball goes flying over the bar.

HALF TIME: SWANSEA CITY 0-0 HULL CITY

So the referee calls time on an entertaining first half in Wales. Swansea have dominated proceedings, but Hull have threatened just as much when going on the counter. The visitors might just feel like they should have had a penalty too. Replies suggest that they should have been awarded one.

Swansea will be pleased with their first-half efforts although they have arguably lacked that cutting edge in the final third. Barrow has done well getting forward, but too often have his crosses let him down. Llorente might feel he should have scored with that header too. As for Hull, Phelan will know that his side are still well in this encounter and will be aiming to make use of that counter again in the second half.

It will be interesting to see what Phelan does with his substitutes given that his starting XI will have played so many continuous minutes in the early stages of the new season. Will they tire?

KICKOFF! Hull get things going again. Who will break this stalemate in the second half?

Swansea settle back into the game with a spell of possession just outside of the Hull box. The ball ends up with Routledge on the right, but Elmohamady has his number as the full-back gets across to make an important challenge and prevent the cross.

Naughton is gifted far too much space by Hull and the defender is able to progress forward with room to shoot. The effort is pretty terrible, though, as Jakupovic is able to watch it sail wide without the slightest cause for concern.

SHOT! Hernandez is forced to scramble back and in turn brings down Fer inside the Hull half. Sigurdsson stands over the free kick, but his shot dips straight into the grateful hands of Jakupovic in the middle of his goal.

CHANCE! Robertson does really well to break in behind the Swansea defence, where he cuts the ball back for Snodgrass. His first touch is poor but he is still able to get a shot away, which takes a slight touch off of Kingsley and goes wide of the Swansea post. The hosts can count themselves a little lucky there...

SUBSTITUTE: Swansea make their first change as Routledge is replaced by Jefferson Montero on the right flank.

How will that change impact the game? Swansea might just want a little more pace out on the right-hand side of the pitch. Some good build-up now sees Naughton feed Fer on the edge of the area, where Livermore gets across to make a wonderful block.

Things have descended into a scrap in these last few moments. Swansea haven't quite found their rhythm from the first half, while Hull appear patient as they wait for their chance on the break.

Hull have earned a spot of possession but the main issue for them is keeping hold of the ball for long enough. The main option at the moment appears to be going long for the strikers and Swansea are able to mop-up pretty comfortably.

Almost... Hull force another counter that comes through Robertson this time. It looks like the ball forward might just break into the path of Hernandez, but it takes a deflection and the Swans are able to hoof clear.

Montero get his first chance to shine and he breaks forward with real pace down the left. Like much of Swansea's problems this afternoon, the winger's cross is poor and he is unable to find a teammate in the box. That's sort of summed up Swansea in the final third today.

SUBSTITUTION: Ki Sung-yueng comes on in place of Fer in the middle. The South Korean has just done four weeks of military service for his country!

You'd have to think that these fresh legs will surely make an impact against this Hull side who have not made a change in 160 minutes of Premier League football?

And still we wait for an opener... The Swansea fans are getting slightly frustrated and are making that known inside the ground. Swansea appear confident in their build-up but things tend to break down just outside of the box.

SUBSTITUTE: Hull make their first change of the new campaign, then, as Shaun Maloney comes on in place of Diomande up top.

We're now into the final 15 minutes of the contest and there isn't much indiction to suggest that we might get a goal at the Liberty. Swansea work themselves the room on the right, where Barrow comes inside to Fernandez. The midfielder tries to curl it first time, but sends his shot looping high and wide of the target.

Fantastic play from Clucas sees the youngster win a free kick right on the edge of the Swansea area. Can they muster something from here. This could be a big moment. Maloney? Snodgrass?

SAVE! Not what we had in mind, Shaun. The substitute drills his effort straight into the wall and the ball flies away for a corner. The resulting set-piece is much better as it finds Davies, who then forces a standout save from Fabianski who tips over the bar from close range.

GOAL! SWANSEA CITY 0-1 HULL CITY (Shaun Maloney)

There we have it, it's the substitute who gives Hull an advantage. From another corner Davies gets a lethal flick-on down into the middle of the area, where Maloney breaks free to get a vital touch in order to divert the ball beyond Fabianski.

What can Swansea do in response? We're all setup for an enthralling final 10 minutes...

Not much to report as we head into the last five minutes. Hull are doing their best to keep calm as Swansea pack numbers forward inside their half.

Still Swansea swamp forward but they have seriously lacked some cutting edge in the final third of the pitch. Hull are first to everything at the minute. It looks like Naughton might go close although his long-range effort is deflected wide.

Swansea get a free kick over on the right, but yet again the cross into the box is a poor one, leaving Robertson with the chance to smash away the danger with big right boot.

We're going to have three minutes of additional time in Wales...

GOAL! SWANSEA CITY 0-2 HULL CITY (Abel Hernandez)

What have we here? Hull grab another and it comes through a fantastic counter started by Cork. The midfielder picks out a wonderful through-ball for Hernandez, who springs on his marker before cooly slotting beyond Fabianski. Swansea are absolutely stunned. Fantastic work from the Tigers today...

FULL TIME: SWANESA CITY 0-2 HULL CITY

What a finish that turned out to be then... Swansea dominated that game but just couldn't find their way in the final third of the pitch. Phelan made a brilliant substitution and the away side capitalised on what they do best - countering! The home side will be furious that they were unable to make their possession count. Phelan and his Tigers, however, will be chuffed. That's all from me today, thanks for joining us!

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Curtis Davies for Hull on September 15, 2014
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