Swansea City and Bournemouth played out a 2-2 draw in Saturday's Premier League clash at the Liberty Stadium.
The Cherries surged into as two-goal lead in the first half thanks to strikes from Josh King and Dan Gosling.
Andre Ayew then backheeled Swansea back into contention almost immediately before he helped to win his side a penalty in the 39th minute, which Jonjo Shelvey slotted in.
The Swans have endured a difficult spell since beating Manchester United in late August, taking just five points from the last 24 on offer to leave them 14th in the table.
Swansea remain five points above the Premier League drop zone, their 14 points from 13 games putting them 14th in the table, while Bournemouth remain in the bottom three but are just a point from safety in 18th place.
Here is how Sports Mole covered the action in South Wales.
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Premier League clash between Swansea City and Bournemouth!
Two teams struggling for form will be looking to get their seasons back on track at the Liberty Stadium this weekend.
The Swans have claimed just one victory in their last eight league games, while their opponents have also underperformed since winning promotion to the top flight.
Here are today's teams...
SWANSEA STARTING XI: Fabianski, Naughton, Bartley, Williams, Taylor, Britton, Ki, Shelvey, Ayew, Routledge, Eder
BOURNEMOUTH STARTING XI: Federici, Francis, Distin, Cook, Daniels, Stanislas, Surman, Arter, Gosling, Ritchie, King
SWANSEA SUBS: Tremmel, Fernandez, Rangel, Cork, Sigurdsson, Montero, Gomis
BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: Allsop, Cargill, Smith, MacDonald, O'Kane, Kermorgant, Murray
Garry Monk makes four changes from the side that lost at Norwich City on November 7, with Federico Fernandez, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jefferson Montero and Bafetimbi Gomis all dropping to the bench. Kyle Bartley, Leon Britton, Wayne Routledge and Eder are drafted in to start.
Just the one change for the Cherries this afternoon, meanwhile, as Steve Cook replaces Adam Smith in defence. Like Swansea, Eddie Howe's side lost their last game before the international break, a 1-0 home loss against Newcastle United.
With the international break over, it's time to get back to business in the league, and both these teams will be eager to get back underway in a bid to get some points on board.
The Swans have endured a difficult spell since beating Manchester United in late August, taking just five points from the last 24 on offer. As it stands, they sit 14th, just five points clear of the bottom three.
That has led to speculation that Monk's job could be under threat, although he said this week that he has not received an ultimatum from club chairman Huw Jenkins.
Nevertheless, anything other than a win against Bournemouth would increase the pressure on Monk, as the Cherries have taken just one point from their last six matches.
After the euphoria of last season, when a swashbuckling Cherries team stormed to the Championship title to earn Premier League promotion for the first time in their history, there was much optimism and hope for Howe's side to maintain their attacking style and make a good start to life in the top tier.
It's been a tough learning curve for the South Coast outfit, however, with two wins, two draws and eight defeats from their opening 12 games planting them into the bottom three of the league.
It just goes to show how the achievements of one season mean little if you can't get your setup right for the following campaign.
Following Swansea's record points haul in the Premier League last season, many had tipped them to enjoy further success and to even challenge for a place among Europe's elite.
We've three months into the new campaign now, so unless both teams can turn their form around in the next few weeks, they could slip into a relegation battle.
With the transfer window fast approaching Monk will hope for the chance to make some improvements to his team, and a striker may be top of his wish list, as the Swans have scored just 12 league goals this season.
Howe could also be looking at strengthening his team when the market opens in January. The Cherries have been decimated by injures to key players, including top scorer Callum Wilson, and adding some much-needed experience could prove vital to their survival.
PREVIEW: We're half an hour away from kickoff, so now is a good time for you to listen to Sports Mole's exclusive match preview. Our pundits discuss team news, statistics, permutations and plenty more.
Marc Pugh was rumoured to be returning to the Cherries squad after overcoming a minor injury, but he isn't included today - he'll probably want to get back to action as soon as possible judging by his latest tweet...
Really wishing I was in Swansea with the lads...spent the morning at a kids craft event and now the Mrs wants to "nip" to the shops 😱😵
— Marc Pugh (@MarcPugh7) November 21, 2015
Let's have a look at some of the stats linked to today's teams and fixture - Swansea have won four of the last six meetings against Bournemouth, but lost their last meeting 2-1 back when they were both League One sides all the way back in 2008.
Interestingly, the 2007-08 season saw Bournemouth relegated to the bottom tier of the Football League - fair play to them for bouncing right back up. Swansea, meanwhile, were promoted as champions.
Swansea have only won one of their last eight league games, and have scored in just three of their last nine league and cup games.
Also, they are without a win in their last four home league matches (D2, L2) and have only scored in one of those matches - Bafetimbi Gomis scored in his first four Swansea games this season but is without a goal in his last nine.
Bournemouth don't fare much better - they have lost their last four league matches, conceding 13 goals and scoring just twice, and have only kept one clean sheet in their 12 league fixtures.
They have also failed to score in their last three games in all competitions, having previously scored in 10 consecutive matches, and only Sunderland have conceded more away league goals than Bournemouth's 16.
A more positive stat for the South Coast side is that they have scored 67 percent of their goals in the opening 30 minutes of games, the highest proportion in the top flight. So we could be in for an early breaking of the deadlock.
A big occasion for veteran defender Sylvain Distin today.
RECORD: @sylvaind15tin set to make 450th @premierleague start today. Congratulations! https://t.co/DixC1nwDcU #afcb pic.twitter.com/nVoRHLYBhX
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) November 21, 2015
PREDICTION: Not long until kickoff now, so it's time for me to have a go at predicting today's result. I have the feeling that Swansea will have just a little more in the tank than Bournemouth, so I'm going for a 1-0 home win, with Andre Ayew bagging the winner midway through the second half.
Both sides have emerged from the tunnel here at the Liberty, on what is a very chilly day, and exchange handshakes.
Both sets of players and supporters will now be hearing La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, as a tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris last week.
KICKOFF: We are now underway at the Liberty Stadium.
Bournemouth are quickest off the starting blocks in the opening stages with some bright, positive passing, but no chances to speak of as of yet.
CHANCE! The visitors create the first chance of the game as Stanislas and King exchange passes before the onrushing Gosling gets involved, but the latter fires over the bar.
It is all Bournemouth so far, with Swansea pinned back in their own half. Francis finds space down the right to drill the ball across the box but the hosts scramble clear.
Better from Swansea as Naughton's pressure on Daniels forces him to concede a throw-in near his own area. The hosts cannot make anything of it, however, and Bournemouth get the ball away.
GOAL! SWANSEA 0-1 BOURNEMOUTH (JOSH KING)
And it's first blood to Bournemouth! No less than what they deserve, but the hosts will be kicking themselves over the poor defending involved in the lead-up. Stanislas picks up a rebound from Ki, crosses from the left and King is left with a simple tap in from six yards out.
CHANCE! The hosts are shaken but nearly hit back straight away, with Routledge swinging a shot across goal, but Federici manages to get the ball out. In the corner that follows, Eder sees a close-range header palmed away by the goalkeeper.
CHANCE! Swansea off the hook as King latches onto a mistake by Britton to go one on one with Fabianski, but the goalkeeper does well to block and thwart the danger.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Bournemouth think that they've got a second as Francis picks out Stanislas, but he's offside as his shot goes in off the post.
Cook needs treatment after being caught in the face by his defence partner Distin as both attempted to head the ball clear, but he will be okay to continue.
Swansea desperately need to conjure something up here in front of their own fans, with Bournemouth much the better side and full value for their first-half lead. Let's not forget that it could be a two-goal advantage for the visitors.
GOAL! SWANSEA 0-2 BOURNEMOUTH (DAN GOSLING)
Did I say "it could be a two-goal advantage for the visitors"? Update - it now is a two-goal advantage for the visitors! Ritchie's cross is delayed and Gosling times his run to perfection to curl the ball home from 10 yards. Disaster for Swansea!
GOAL! SWANSEA 1-2 BOURNEMOUTH (ANDRE AYEW)
It's as you were because Swansea halve the deficit straight away! The visitors fail to clear a cross into the box and Shelvey heads a loose ball to Ayew who swivels and slots the ball past Federici!
BOOKING: First yellow of the game as Ritchie hauls down Ayew and is booked for his troubles.
Francis does well to block a Ki shot with his body, but there was possibly a hint of handball there.
PENALTY! Swansea now have a chance to get back on level terms as Ayew is brought down by Francis in the box and referee Andre Marriner points to the spot!
GOAL! SWANSEA 2-2 BOURNEMOUTH (JONJO SHELVEY, PENALTY)
Shelvey drills the ball into the bottom-right corner, to the left of Federici, and equalises amid controversy - Bournemouth players are convinced that Ayew tripped over his own feet.
That's 18 goals conceded on the road by the Cherries so far this season - Howe is furious with the decision to award Swansea a penalty, but to get pegged back after taking a healthy two-goal lead shows chronic defensive failings.
Nevertheless the Cherries look a real threat each and everytime they go forward, which will give them great confidence for the rest of this match. Swansea will count their blessings if they go in level at the break, where they can regroup.
Three minutes of injury time signalled at the Liberty as Bournemouth also give the impression that they're eager to see this half out and regroup in the changing rooms.
HALF TIME: SWANSEA 2-2 BOURNEMOUTH
What a great first half we've had here at the Liberty Stadium. So much for my prediction of a one-goal game - Bournemouth surged into a 2-0 lead, but Andre Ayew's instant reply, followed by a contentious Jonjo Shelvey penalty, means that it's 2-2 at the break.
The Cherries will be disappointed to be level after being the better side for much of the half, as they brought plenty of energy to the game and were good value for their two-goal lead. Nevertheless, a combination of poor defending and bad luck have cost them and Eddie Howe must pick his charges up again for the second half.
As for Swansea, they know very well that they've been issued with a get-out-of-jail card after making an atrocious start to the game, so for them to start the second half all square will mean a lot to them. Now we get to see which manager has the most nerve - can Garry Monk's side keep up the momentum and get the win, or can Howe regroup his players and leave South Wales with something to show for their efforts?
KICKOFF: Bournemouth get us back underway here at the Liberty - time to see what both sides are made of!
Howe would no doubt have told his players to go back to basics and take it steady, which is exactly what they're doing - they look calm, composed and patient on the ball.
Now it is Swansea's turn to maintain possession, but it comes to nothing as Daniels snuffs out Ayew's attempted forward run.
BOOKING: Stanislas goes into the book for a full-blooded challenge on Ayew. He appeared to have won the ball cleanly but the ref had made his mind up.
CHANCE! Arter takes aim from around twenty-five yards and lets rip, but Fabianski deals with the ball comfortably, despite a few awkward bounces.
Ki and Taylor combine up the pitch with a one-two but Surman comes across to make a well-timed interception. Moments earlier a Cherries attack is thwarted when Ritchie slips on the way to receiving a Stanislas pass to the byline. Very wet pitch here at the Liberty.
More danger for Swansea and again it comes from the right as Francis skips past a challenge into the box, but he is unable to pick anyone out with his pull-back.
Some substitutions could be on the cards as Montero, Sigurdsson and Gomis look to be warming up for Swansea, while Murray is doing some rather stretching and jogging on the touchline.
CHANCE! Cook finds himself free at the far post after latching on to Stanislas's corner, but his half volley flashes across the face of goal and goes out for a goal kick.
Bournemouth enjoy a spell of pressure but cannot make it count against the hosts, whose attacking endeavour has been lacking after the restart.
A neat Cherries passing move is intercepted just as Gosling is about to pull the trigger inside the area. The visitors continuing to turn the screw.
Here come Swansea now as Ki chips a ball forward towards Shelvey, but the attempt is a touch heavy and Federici collects.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Monk makes a double change with Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jefferson Montero coming on to replace Leon Britton and Wayne Routledge. Given the balance of play, something new was needed on the pitch for the hosts.
CHANCE! Stanislas plays in a free kick on the right which Swansea only partially clear, and the ball falls to Cook, but he leans back a bit too far and his half-volley flies over.
YELLOW CARD + SUBSTITUTION: Williams blocks and brings down Bartley to earn a yellow card, and moments later Bafetimbi Gomis comes on for Eder in Swansea's final change.
A rare Swansea attack leads to a corner, their first since the break, but Shelvey's delivery is too high for Williams and Bournemouth clear.
SUBSTITUTION: Howe makes his first change of the afternoon as Matt Ritchie is replaced by Adam Smith.
Montero, a bright spark since coming on, charges down the left wing and plays in a low cross that Federici does well to punch away.
CHANCE! Looks like the pendulum is slowly but surely swinging the way of the Swans, as Sigurdsson and Gomis combine to allow Shelvey a shot that sails over the bar.
SUBSTITUTION: Another change for the Cherries as Glenn Murray replaces goalscorer Josh King.
BOOKINGS: Arter bursts forward and is hauled down by Sigurdsson and Shelvey, who are both cautioned for their troubles.
CHANCE! Another scramble at Swansea's goalmouth leads to the ball falling to Gosling, who fires over.
SUBSTITUTION: Sean McDonald replaces Harry Arter in Bournemouth's final change, as the fourth official announces a mininum of four minutes' added time.
Montero is pulled down by Smith, which gives Shelvey the chance to send a free kick into the box, but the ball is overhit and Surman makes sure that Bartley can't get on the end of it.
FULL TIME: SWANSEA CITY 2-2 BOURNEMOUTH
Both sides continued to fight right until the end but the referee's whistle signals the end of what has been a pulsating match at the Liberty Stadium, which finishes 2-2.
Bournemouth surged into as two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Josh King and Dan Gosling, but a minute later Andre Ayew backheeled Swansea back into contention, before the Ghanaian's fall in the box led to the hosts winning a penalty, which Jonjo Shelvey slotted in.
Andre Marriner awarded the spot kick on the basis that Ayew was brought down by Simon Francis, but replays showed that the Swans man potentially tripped himself up, so that will cause furore among the Cherries backroom staff and faithful.
Swansea remain five points above the Premier League drop zone, their 14 points from 13 games putting them 14th in the table, while Bournemouth remain in the bottom three but are just a point from safety in 18th place. Eddie Howe will be keeping an eye out on Monday night's game between Crystal Palace and Sunderland, as a Black Cats win will see them edge level on points with the South Coast side.
That is all we have time for here at the Liberty Stadium, but stick with Sports Mole as we bring you match reports and reaction from all the weekend's big games! How about Manchester City against Liverpool? Or if you like your Spanish football, the almighty El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona is kicking off soon! Whatever you get up to, thanks for following this game, and enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte
