Premier League winners and losers: Arsenal provide more schadenfreude
By Ty Finch
Winner: Swansea
Before Sunday’s contest against Huddersfield, Swansea failed to pick up any points at home on the season. That’s not a recipe for success in the Premier League. If that form continued down the same path, it would certainly spell relegation as well. However, Swansea got off the mark on Sunday, and perhaps played their best overall game of the season.
Huddersfield were pinned in their own half for most of the match, and defended quite well considering the onslaught of attack. If not for a horrible miscue from keeper Jonas Lossl, the Terriers would have gone into halftime level. But Tom Carroll pounced on a misplaced pass and squared it to Tammy Abraham for an easy finish just three minutes before the break.
Before Sunday, Swansea were dreadful at home. The Swans had a minus-6 goal differential and scored just once in the three matches at the Liberty Stadium. They faced Manchester United in their first home game, but also faced Newcastle and Watford, clubs who they need to take points off if they want to stay up.
Swansea may have had a few lucky breaks go their way against Huddersfield, but sometimes that’s just what a team needs to get going, just ask Crystal Palace. Paul Clement’s side deserved the win, though. They were the better side, and forced Huddersfield into those miscues.
With their relegation rivals picking up a shocking three points, it was necessary to get a good result. With their first home win in the bag, Swansea can use the confidence to continue their fight to stay in the league.