SWANSEA CITY EDGED a point clear of the Premier League relegation zone after their basement battle with Middlesbrough ended in a forgettable 0-0 stalemate.
Middlesbrough, playing for the second time under Steve Agnew following Aitor Karanka’s dismissal as head coach last month, were unable to improve their return as the top flight’s most shot-shy attack – even when faced with its leakiest defence.
The Swans carried the greater threat, with Boro keeper Victor Valdes working hardest for his clean sheet by keeping Jordan Ayew and Gylfi Sigurdsson at bay either side of half-time.
Not for the first time this season, Adama Traore’s end product did not match his lively invention in attack for Middlesbrough, while Rudy Gestede nodded a last-gasp, gilt-edged chance wide for the visitors, who remain second bottom and five points shy of their opponents.
They will need to produce better against 18th-place Hull City in midweek – Marco Silva’s side now lie a point shy of Swansea.
Martin Olsson was back in the Swansea side following an ankle injury and the Sweden left-back advanced into the opposition area in the seventh minute, displaying wonderful chest control and cutting inside to lift a shot over the far corner.
Middlesbrough’s right was proving a fruitful area for Swansea, with Valdes forced to push Ayew’s rasping shot behind after he charged towards the box from the flank.
The visitors’ first opportunities came in the 13th minute when Swansea defenders Alfie Mawson and Kyle Naughton bravely blocked from Alvaro Negredo and Stewart Downing in quick succession, with Tom Carroll driving into the side-netting at the other end to spark momentary celebration from a section of the home supporters.
Boro were forced into a change before the break, with Gestede joining Negredo in a physically imposing attack after Gaston Ramirez was unable to shake off a knock to his ankle.
Traore was an entertaining, roving presence for Agnew’s team during the opening period and he pulled a shot wide of the far post in the 52nd minute having opened up some space with a stepover.
Swansea gathered themselves after a scrappy start to the second half and Valdes unconvincingly palmed a low Luciano Narsingh cross away from the goalmouth before the hour.
Fabio da Silva was forced off with a head injury, having appeared to be briefly unconscious when he landed awkwardly following an aerial challenge with Leroy Fer, and Sigurdsson drew another stop from Valdes while Boro were temporarily reduced to 10 men.
Siguardsson was unable to add to his catalogue of superb set-piece goals when a free-kick spun wide off Forshaw’s arm – penalty shouts were rejected – and an increasingly desperate Boro almost snatched the points in stoppage time.
Gestede was fortune to still be on the field after a pair of wild lunges and headed wastefully wide on the end of a sumptuous Negredo cross, summing up Boro’s seasonal malaise.
As a Leinster fan I wish Ulster and Munster well in the quarter finals. Its good to see two Irish teams still in it.
Bad luck Leinster, still it’s good to see Munster got trough.
As a leinster fan I’m sorry to see it happen but it was inevitable after the home Clermont match. In the years we won it we always had a dominating player in the pack – Rocky Elsom, Nathan Hines, Brad Thorn – a guy other teams feared for their physicality and general intensity. These guys were abrasive personalites.
Leo Cullen, while a phenomenal captain, isn’t that sort of player. Devin Toner has no place on a Heineken cup team. He is neither abrasive or talented. The back row and front row, while all physically abrasive, seem not to be thorny individuals. We need someone getting in the face of opponents, on and off the ball. We need someone like the three above, like Dennis Leamy.
I agree for the most part, Cian Healy & Sean O Brien are both mean fookers. I think Leinster need a serious edge in the 2nd row.
Ahhhhh hahahahahaha…I love to see Irish teams doing well but for all the Leinster fans giving Munster fans sh*t over the years…sit on that!
Don’t gloat Thómas, Munster have been there before and will be again. Hard luck to Leinster, tough way to exit the competition. Munster abú.
don’t known any leinster fans that don’t support Munster in the Heineken. Get the chip off your shoulder
There’s no chip on my shoulder. Like I said I always like to see the Irish teams doing well but over the last few years Leinster fans felt the need to have a go at Munster while they were doing well so today I’ll revel in it
I’m sure there is a few idiot Leinster supporters who do give grief Tomás, just as Munster have a few fans like you. Any best of luck Munster and Ulster.
Terrible immature attitude, a man shouldn’t lower himself regardless of what when before. You’re only feeding a cycle of hate.
Sorry Tomas but years of ladyboy crap started all that stuff.
As for yesterday Leinster didn’t qualify because clermont beat us twice not because Munster scored more trys against the second team of 8th best team in France with 14 men.
Tomas when you win the title in Dublin ( and I really hope you do) then gloat all you want because if like last year when we won if you go to France and win a semi final you will deserve to be called the best team in Europe.
Leinster will now have a crack at the Amlin and the rabbo, if we win a title it will be enough to regroup for next year.
Fair play to Simon Zebo yesterday super display and will make the loss of tommy Bowe less hard to take next month.
Hard luck Leinster! Good to have 2 Irish teams still there hopefully if all goes to plan at Welford Road. Munster abu!
I’m all about international rugby, but it’s like a guilty pleasure knocking leinster out of the European cup while qualifying for the quarters.
Hard luck to Leinster and tough way to leave the competition…….
Are they the first champions to go out at pool stage?
Where was this famous strength in depth they always bang on about?
3. 2. Now
3. 2. Next may
Yawn !
Posted on 20/1/2013 is this the Journal’s April’s fool days contribution?