Swansea City 2-1 Middlesbrough: Andre Ayew’s last gasp penalty gives Swans a dramatic win

Swansea City climbed to third place in the Championship thanks to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough that left Neil Warnock furious.

He had previously passed Swansea, but Middlesbrough deservedly equalized in the 91st minute through Sam Morsy.

Ayew’s penalty shot came in the 97th minute after referee Gavin Ward initially gave up a corner.

Ward later changed his mind, possibly on the advice of his assistant, and officials found that George Saville had fouled Jake Bidwell.

The late drama left Warnock infuriated with officials as Swansea moved up to one point of the automatic promotion spots with two games in hand.

Middlesbrough remains ninth after losing despite controlling much of the game.

Warnock was hoping to conclude the new contract he signed this week with a positive result, and Middlesbrough announced Thursday that the 72-year-old has agreed to remain as coach next season.

He is already making plans for 2021-22, although it is not yet clear which division Middlesbrough will be in given the play-offs are within his grasp despite this result.

Swansea has higher ambitions, although it was difficult to tell during a hectic first half in which neither of them gained control.

The visitors produced the threat of the first half hour, with a cross from Marc Bola creating an opportunity for Duncan Watmore only for Marc Guehi to block to save the goal.

Yannick Bolasie’s ranger forced Freddie Woodman’s first stop of the day, but it was Swansea who took the lead with their only shot on goal in the first half.

Conor Hourihane’s free kick was initially resolved, but Connor Roberts headed the ball back into the box and Bola and Jonny Howson collided while trying to punt.

The angle was tight when the ball fell towards Ayew, but his well-hit half volley went over Marcus Bettinelli at the near post, thanks in part to a deflection from Djed Spence.

Warnock spent much of the first half berating the referees, but now his defenders have received some criticism.

His mood clouded early in the second half when referee Ward ruled on a questionable foul by Bolasie on Jay Fulton just as Bola unleashed a fierce attack from the edge of the D that flew past Woodman and into the net. .

Middlesbrough continued to ask questions, with Chuba Akpom firing wide before Saville narrowly missed the target.

Swansea was offering little in attack, largely because they couldn’t keep the ball, and the draw the visitors deserved came when Nathaniel Méndez-Laing found Morsy and his shot beat Woodman flat-footed at the near post.

Warnock urged his players to press on in search of victory, but it was Swansea who claimed an extraordinary victory after Saville was controversially tried for fouling Bidwell as he slipped to punt.

Ayew had scored a penalty in the 96th minute to give Cooper’s men the victory at Stoke on Wednesday.

He repeated the trick here, sending Bettinelli down the wrong path before making a point of celebrating with the Swansea management team.