Swansea City 2 – 1 West Bromwich Albion 

A stunning late volley by Fernando Llorente earned Swansea City a hard fought victory against West Bromwich Albion at the Liberty Stadium.

Jonny Evans gave the visitors a one-goal cushion at half time, but his effort was cancelled out by a close range header by Jordan Ayew, then up popped Spanish striker Llorente to score a brilliant timely winner.

With other results going the Swans’ way, they have climbed up from 17th to finish 15th in the table after an extremely difficult campaign, whilst Tony Pulis’ West Brom outfit finished in a creditable tenth spot.

The sun was shining at the Liberty Stadium for the last game of a long season, the opponents were West Brom, with nothing really riding on the game, but in both teams defence they served up an entertaining tussle.

Paul Clement’s Swansea City outfit had already completed the great escape, after being bottom at Christmas when he took charge, Clement then guided them to safety with a game to spare.

There was a party atmosphere at the ground with The Swans fans in fine voice and obviously delighted and relieved that their team will live to fight another season in the Barclays Premier League.

Chris Brunt had the first shot of the afternoon for The Baggies, a cross by Allan Nyom from the right was cleared by a Federico Fernandez header only for Brunt on the left, the wide-sided midfielder skied his ambitious long range effort straight into the stand, not troubling Swans goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt.

Minutes later and the hosts carved out a decent chance, with Swans midfielder Leroy Fer firing over the crossbar from eight yards out. He really should have hit the target.

Following a poor ball out of defence by Alfie Mawson, it led to Baggies striker Salomon Rondon getting in a tame header straight to Nordfeldt inside the box.

Tony Pulis’ West Brom outfit broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute, Chris Brunt’s corner was met with a firm header by Jonny Evans at the far post, Swans goalkeeper Nordfeldt misjudged the flight of the cross and gifted The Baggies centre back with a straightforward finish.

The clash became a little heated with both teams getting involved in a spat on the touchline of managers Pulis and Clement.

Just before the break, right back Kyle Naughton fired a wicked 20-yard right footed shot over Baggies goalkeeper Ben Foster’s crossbar.

Rondon should have added a second goal after the break, the striker looked as if he was fouled by Swans defender Fernandez, but referee Dean waved play on, Rondon had a clear sight at goal before Leon Britton saved the day with a superb last-ditch tackle.

Jonny Evans fouled Ayew on the edge of the area, The Baggies centre back earning the first yellow card of the afternoon. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s dangerous free-kick in the box was put out for a corner, then Sigurdsson’s superb corner should have been headed home at the far post by Fernandez, but the defender didn’t get enough on his effort.

Jake Livermore fired high and wide following a Baggies counter attack. Martin Olsson collided with Craig Dawson inside the box, with a big shout for a penalty, again Dean waved play on.

In the 66th minute, Luciano Narsingh replaced Swans legend Leon Britton, who was given a standing ovation by The Swans’ faithful.

Jordan Ayew equalised with a close range header in the 72nd minute, Sigurdsson’s well-flighted free kick in the box was met by Llorente, who unselfishly squared his header across the face of box for Ayew to gleefully nod in from inside the six yard box.

Minutes later and The Swans were unlucky not to take the lead. The confident Ayew cut in from his left wing and let fly with a low drilled right footed effort that flew into Foster’s side-netting.

Swansea City dramatically took the lead in the 86th minute when striker Llorente sweetly volleyed home inside the box from Narsingh’s pinpoint cross from the right to secure the points for The Swans.

West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis was bitterly disappointed with his side surrendering a one goal lead. “I’m really disappointed with the result. Our defending for both goals was shocking. We need to be more clinical in front of goal and we have to defend far better at this level.

“But looking at the whole season I’m really happy that we have finished in tenth place.”

Swansea City boss Paul Clement was happy that his team reacted positively in the second period to snatch the win.

“Of course I wanted to finish the season with a win and coming from behind was very positive today.

“We claimed 13 points from a possible 15 to secure a 15th place finish which is brilliant.

“I don’t want to sell my best players and want to build for next season.”

Swansea City: Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Jordan Ayew (91 Stephen Kingsley), Alfie Mawson, Leon Britton (Captain) (66 Luciano Narsingh), Leroy Fer (81 Ki Sung-Yueng), Fernando Llorente, Martin Olsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Kyle Naughton, Federico Fernandez, Tom Carroll. Substitutes not used: Gerhard Tremmel, Jordi Amat, Jack Cork, Oli McBurnie.

West Bromwich Albion: Ben Foster, Allan Nyom, Claudio Yacob, Jonny Evans, James Morrison (84 Hal Robson-Kanu), Jake Livermore (79 James McClean), Salomon Rondon, Chris Brunt, Marc Wilson (90 Jonathan Leko), Darren Fletcher, Craig Dawson. Substitutes not used: Boaz Myhill, Nacer Chadli, Sam Field, Kane Wilson.

Referee: Mr. M. Dean.

Assistants: Mr. S. Long & Mr. A. Garrett.

Fourth official: Mr. G. Scott.

Attendance: 20,889.