Swansea City and Leicester City met at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon for what was a relegation six-pointer in the Premier League.
First-half goals from Alfie Mawson and Martin Olsson saw Swansea take a 2-0 lead into the interval as Leicester headed for a fifth straight Premier League defeat.
The visitors improved in the second period as they looked for a route back into the match, but Swansea kept their first clean sheet under Paul Clement to claim a vital three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from the Liberty Stadium and it is a massive football match at the bottom of the table as 17th-place Swansea City welcome the champions Leicester City, who occupy 16th. Both of these sides are involved in a relegation battle as we enter the final months of the campaign and a poor result in this one could be very damaging indeed.
This afternoon will be the 37th time that Swansea and Leicester have met in a competitive match. It is a fixture that dates back to December 1914 – I remember it well – when Swansea TOWN recorded a 1-0 victory in the FA Cup. That is correct, Swansea Town. The recent history, however, favours Leicester, with the Foxes entering this match off the back of four successive league wins.
Swansea recorded a 2-0 victory over Leicester when they welcomed the Foxes in October 2014, but Leicester were 3-0 winners in this stadium last season and also beat the Swans 2-1 in the reverse match earlier this season. Right, enough of the history lesson, let's take a look at the two teams...
TEAMS!
SWANSEA: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson; Carroll, Fer, Cork; Dyer, Llorente, Sigurdsson
LEICESTER: Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Ndidi, Albrighton; Gray, Vardy
Ki Sung-Yeung and Jefferson Montero once again miss out for Swansea, but January signing from Aston Villa Jordan Ayew is on the bench after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. Gylfi Sigurdsson once again supports Fernando Llorente in the centre-forward position, while there is a start for Nathan Dyer as Wayne Routledge drops to the bench for the Welsh outfit this afternoon.
As for Leicester, Claudio Ranieri has made two changes to the team that lost 3-0 against Manchester United in the Premier League last weekend. In come Demarai Gray and Marc Albrighton, with Ahmed Musa and Shinji Okazaki dropping to the bench. Islam Slimani is back in the squad after recovering from a groin problem, but the powerful striker is on the bench. It will be a special day for Leicester captain Wes Morgan, meanwhile, as the centre-back prepares to make his 100th Premier League appearance.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this bitter afternoon in Wales. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's first focus on the champions Leicester. There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a disastrous title defence and Ranieri's side are very much involved in a relegation battle this season.
A 3-1 victory over Derby County in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday night was a welcome result for Ranieri, but their problems in the league show no signs of ending. It is now five league games without a victory for the Foxes, losing their last four, including a 3-0 home defeat to a strong Man United last weekend. Some pre-match thoughts from the Leicester boss here...
A record of five wins, six draws and 13 defeats have brought Leicester 21 points from 24 Premier League matches this season. They are still out of the relegation zone in 16th position, but are level on points with 17th-place Swansea and just one point clear of 18th-place Hull City. Indeed, just three points currently separate basement side Sunderland from Middlesbrough in 15th position.
There is still the possibility that Bournemouth could get dragged into a relegation battle this season, but it does appear that three from Middlesbrough, Leicester, Swansea, Hull, Crystal Palace and Sunderland will be relegated. Leicester still have the bulk of their title-winning squad and indeed first XI from last season, but performances on the field have been very disappointing this term.
Ranieri was given a vote of confidence by the Leicester board earlier in the week, but another poor result here would lead to more pressure on the title-winning Italian. After this match, the Foxes will face Championship side Millwall in the fifth round of the FA Cup next weekend, before travelling to an impressive Sevilla in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie on February 22.
It is not as if Leicester have a favourable run of fixtures in the league, meanwhile, as they host Liverpool and travel to Arsenal in two of their next three. This is the point of the season where the likes of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, who were both sensational last term, need to come forward and prevent a disastrous relegation for the champions. Something has to change for the champions.
Swansea, however, will not be in the mood to hand out any favours here. As mentioned, the Welsh outfit sit one point behind Leicester in the table, but Paul Clement's side have won two of their last three in the Premier League. After losing 4-0 at Arsenal on January 14, they responded with an impressive 3-2 success at Liverpool and a 2-1 victory at home to Southampton on January 31.
Swansea came extremely close to taking a point from Manchester City last weekend after Gylfi Sigurdsson levelled late on, but a second for Gabriel Jesus in the final moments saw Pep Guardiola's side secure a 2-1 win. It was a bitter blow for Swansea at that stage of the match, but they have been much improved since Clement replaced American Bob Bradley at the helm.
No side has conceded more Premier League goals than Swansea this season (54), but they have found the back of the net on 29 occasions, which is a decent record in relation to the teams around them. There is no question that they have talented players in the final third, but their inability to stop the opposition from scoring could prove terminal in their fight against relegation this season.
In terms of what is ahead for Swansea, they will travel to Chelsea in their final Premier League game of the month on February 25, before starting next month at home to Burnley. After this match, the Swans have a two-week break and it would be much happier if they could secure all the points here.
PREDICTION! There is no downplaying the importance of this football match. Swansea will fancy their chances on home soil, but Leicester are a strong counter-attacking team and the introduction of Gray could be key. I am actually going to sit on the fence somewhat and back a 1-1 draw in Wales.
KICKOFF! Leicester kick things off at the Liberty Stadium...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. The home supporters are full of noise, but Leicester are also well represented in the stands. You just get the feeling that the first goal here - if there indeed is one - could be vital in terms of the final result.
Penalty shout for the home side as Sigurdsson fires the ball into bodies inside the Leicester box, but the referee is not interested. I will have to reserve judgement on that one...
... Sigurdsson's strike hit the arms of Morgan, but there was no intent. Correct decision!
Swansea might be forced into an early change here as Dyer goes down in a wide area.
Indeed, Dyer is limping off the field and a change will need to be made here.
SWANSEA SUB! Routledge replaces Dyer for Swansea.
Swansea are very much on the front foot at the moment as they threaten with two corners in quick succession, but Leicester manage to clear their lines on both occasions. We are yet to see Vardy or Gray at the Liberty Stadium as the champions Leicester struggle to get hold of the ball in Wales.
Better from Leicester as a super pass from Mahrez releases Vardy and the England international cuts inside before finding Gray, but Fernandez is on hand to make a fine challenge. Ndidi then has a shot from outside the box, but again white shirts are in the way to block the ball.
Mahrez and Gray have just started to combine in the final third, and Swansea are not comfortable when that occurs. Indeed, Mawson has to come across to hack the lively Gray to the ground.
As expected, Swansea are enjoying most of the ball, but Leicester are dangerous on the counter-attack, especially with Vardy playing on the shoulder of Mawson, who does not look entirely secure. Gray's pace in a central position is also causing Swansea plenty of problems here.
You do get the feeling that the first goal this afternoon - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Swansea started on the front foot, but Leicester are much more in the game at the moment.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few moments as both sides struggle to keep possession of the ball in dangerous areas. We have not seen too much from Llorente in the opening 20 minutes of this match, but Leicester's forward players are looking dangerous here.
Couple of half-chances for Leicester in quick succession, but both Mahrez and Drinkwater have their efforts blocked and Swansea can clear their lines once again. Bit of a lull for Swansea.
The home side have the chance to threaten from a corner, but Huth is on hand to make the clearance and Leicester can break once again. Still goalless with 24 minutes on the clock here.
BOOKING! Fer (Swansea) is booked for bringing Vardy to the deck.
Better from Swansea in the last couple of minutes as they threaten with a couple of free kicks in quick succession, but Leicester just about manage to clear their lines on each occasion.
Good goalkeeping from Schmeichel as the Leicester stopper punches clear and sets up a counter-attack for the visitors, but once again the final pass is poor and Swansea regain the ball.
It is not difficult to see why these two teams are struggling. The quality has been poor overall, with neither side creating much in the final third. Swansea have been disappointing on home soil.
SAVE! Much better from Swansea as Routledge meets a high ball at the far post, but Schmeichel is across to prevent the attacker's volley from finding the bottom corner!
Sigurdsson bends a low effort just wide of the far post.
BOOKING! Huth (Leicester) is booked for a late tackle on Carroll.
GOAL! Swansea 1-0 Leicester (Mawson)
Oh my word! Swansea make the breakthrough in the 36th minute of this match as Mawson places a sensational volley into the back of the net after Fernandez had teed up his fellow centre-back. It is a quite wonderful effort from the defender and Leicester are behind once again!
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and Leicester are in trouble once again. There has hardly been anything in this football match, but a wonderful effort from Mawson has seen Swansea make the breakthrough. It is vital that the Foxes do not concede a second goal before the break.
BOOKING! Cork (Swansea) is booked for a late challenge on Mahrez.
In fairness to Leicester, they have actually been pretty good in possession, but clear chances have been few and far between. You just wonder whether we might see Slimani at the interval because Vardy has been isolated in the final third. On a positive note, Gray has been nice and bright.
More like it from Vardy as the Leicester forward runs away from Fernandez inside the Swansea box, but the centre-back does well to recover and make the challenge, forcing a corner in the process.
We are into the first of four added minutes at the end of the first period.
GOAL! Swansea 2-0 Leicester (Olsson)
Swansea score their second in the final moments of the first period as Olsson collects a super pass from Sigurdsson before driving into the box and thumping the ball past Schmeichel!
HALF-TIME: Swansea 2-0 Leicester
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Swansea leading their fellow relegation rivals Leicester 2-0 courtesy of goals from Mawson and Olsson. Leicester have showed bits and pieces in the final third, but it is the home side that lead this key fixture at the break.
STATISTICS! Swansea have dominated the possession with 60%, while they hit the target with three of their six efforts in the first 45 minutes. Leicester, meanwhile, had five attempts, but failed to hit the target. Three yellow cards to report - Fer (26 min), Huth (36 min) and Cork (40 min).
BENCH WATCH! Swansea have already been forced into a change this afternoon, with Routledge replacing the injured Dyer in the early moments. Jordan Ayew will be looking to make his debut off the bench in the second period, however, while Narsingh is also available for the home side. As for Leicester, head coach Ranieri has forward options in the shape of Slimani, Musa and Okazaki.
RESTART! Swansea resume the action on home soil...
... LEICESTER SUBS! Slimani and Chilwell have replaced Albrighton and Fuchs as Ranieri makes two changes at the interval. This is a massive second period for the away side.
Leicester need more from the likes of Vardy and Mahrez, but Morgan and Huth look like they are running in sand down the other end. Swansea are finding so much space in the final third here.
Routledge drives down the right before delivering a low cross towards Llorente, but Simpson is across to make the clearance once again. You sense that a third for Swansea would make sure of all the points this afternoon and at the moment, the home side are looking the more likely here.
Better from Leicester in the last couple of minutes as they enjoy some advanced possession, but Swansea are pretty comfortable as they sit deep and defend their lines. The visitors have been unable to find Slimani with any searching crosses, but there is still a lot of football to be played.
Narsingh and Jordan Ayew are both on the bench for Swansea here and you sense that they would relish driving at Morgan and Huth, who have again been poor for their team. Gray has the chance to create something for Leicester after driving forward, but his cross is straight into Fabianski.
Sigurdsson curls one into the arms of Schmeichel from outside the Leicester box.
BOOKING! Chilwell (Leicester) is booked for a barge on Llorente.
Slimani continues to raise his arm inside the Swansea box, but his teammates are not supplying the big centre-forward. Gray is Leicester's biggest threat, but Mahrez and Vardy are absent without leave.
Leicester are still waiting for the first shot on target, which tells you the story of this game.
Fernandez looks favourite to head Swansea 3-0 ahead at the far post, but Ndidi does very well to challenge the big centre-back. The referee had actually already blown his whistle, however, due to a late challenge on Schmeichel. Ndidi has again impressed for Leicester despite their struggles.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Leicester to halve the deficit as the centre-forward collects a pass from Mahrez before looking to beat Fabianski, but the goalkeeper makes a super save!
Leicester have suddenly come alive as Gray shows lovely feet in a wide position before delivering, but Swansea manage to clear their lines. Ndidi picks up the pieces and strikes towards goal, but his effort is wide of the post as Swansea survive a couple of dangerous moments here.
It has taken time for Leicester to come alive in this match, but the Foxes are really threatening as we approach the final 20 minutes. Swansea are just sitting back and defending at the moment.
We are entering the stage of the match where Swansea boss Paul Clement will be considering changes. Leicester are very much in control of proceedings at the moment as the Foxes look to halve the deficit. Recent signing Jordan Ayew is an option off the bench for the home side.
LEICESTER SUB! Amartey replaces Simpson for the away side.
Not too much happening in Swansea's attack at the moment, but they still boast a two-goal lead with just about 20 minutes of football left to play. The onus is on Leicester to force the issue.
SWANSEA SUB! Debut for Ayew as the forward replaces Llorente.
Ndidi hits another one from distance, but again it is over Swansea's goal.
Not too much to report in the last few moments as Swansea enjoy decent possession without really threatening to score a third goal. Time is running out if Leicester are to respond here.
Gray has been Leicester's best player this afternoon, but the likes of Vardy and Mahrez have not offered anywhere near enough. Both were sensational as Leicester won the title last season, but the pair have been well short of the required standard this term. Still 2-0 Swansea in Wales.
Vardy fires over the crossbar following a decent move involving Slimani.
Half-chance for Swansea as Sigurdsson delivers a delicious corner into a crowded box, but Huth just about makes contact as it goes behind for another set piece. Sigurdsson moves across to the opposite side and delivers once again, but this time it is Gray that carries the ball clear.
Sigurdsson touches the ball away from Morgan before striking towards goal, but his effort is over the crossbar. Not like him, the Iceland international is usually so strong in those positions.
Decent possession from Leicester in the last couple of moments, but they lose the ball in a forward position and Swansea can clear their lines once again. One goal for Leicester at this stage would set up a grandstand finish, but the Welsh outfit continue to stand strong on home soil.
The home supporters are in fine voice as we enter the final moments of this match.
SWANSEA SUB! Narsingh replaces Routledge in Swansea's second change.
We are into the first of three minutes at the Liberty Stadium.
Gray continues to cause Swansea problems with his pace and skill in a wide position, but the youngster has had little from his teammates. Huth then tangles with Fernandez inside the Swansea box and the referee has to come across to deal with the issue. Put the handbags away lads!
FULL-TIME: Swansea 2-0 Leicester
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Swansea running out 2-0 winners over Leicester as the Welsh outfit jump above the champions in the table. It is another miserable day for Ranieri! Thanks for joining Sports Mole once again. Until next time!
