Francesco Guidolin’s reign as Swansea coach got off to a winning start as his side held on for a vital win at Everton yesterday.
Guidolin’s appointment is seen as a gamble in some quarters but the Italian has been an instant hit at Swansea, who with this result have claimed their first ever league win over Everton.
The Swans started the quicker against a sluggish Everton side and took a deserved lead after John Stones sold Tim Howard short with a back pass, causing the American to bring down Andre Ayew in the box.
Gylfi Sigurdsson converted the penalty expertly, but Everton levelled eight minutes later when Gareth Barry’s near post flick deflected off Jack Cork and into his own net. Ayew was in the thick of the action again before the break, latching onto Neil Taylor’s pass and lashing a shot past Howard with the help of a Stones deflection.
Gerard Deulofeu and substitute Seamus Coleman were the bright sparks for Everton as they tried to claw their way back into the game, but Swansea held on for a big win that takes them above Norwich and Bournemouth and a little further away from the relegation zone. For Everton, it’s back to the drawing board as the disquiet at Goodison Park gets a little louder.
