Match Analysis: Swansea City 2-2 Hull City

Swansea City had to settle for a disappointing point at home against Hull City as a very, very late Egan equaliser cancelled out Ronald’s strike just before the hour mark. We’ll break down the key tactical battles in this analysis as the Swans were back in Championship action following the two-week international break.

Alan Sheehan made just the one forced change as the injured Stamenic was replaced in the single-pivot role by Ethan Galbraith – that left room for Yalcouye to come in as the left-sided 8.

Hull’s front 2 press aimed to nullify Galbraith

Swansea had some difficulty in playing out from the back in the first half as Hull City pressed in a 4-4-2 shape with their main focus in blocking off passing lanes to Galbraith – rather than pressing Swansea’s centre-back pairing.

When the ball did get through to Galbraith, the visitors did a good job to block all passing lanes to his team-mates.

As a result of this effective block to Galbraith, the two centre-backs usually had to look to advance the ball beyond him.

Vipotnik sometimes dropped deep near the halfway line to receive and link-up play.

The Swans were keen to get their wingers in behind at any opportunity.

Below, you can see Vipotnik dropping deep, just inside his own half as McBurnie fails to block the passing lane through. Vipotnik plays a first time forward pass to play Ronald through in behind down the right.

Swans build with a back 3

In the first half, Swansea build from the back with effectively a back three. Tymon stays deep to offer a passing option for Burgess while Key pushes further forward on the opposite side (below).

This changed somewhat at the restart as Key was the player to drop deeper to form a three as Tymon pushed on. You can also see below how Galbraith is still closely monitored by Hull and blocked from receiving the ball.

Poor shape costs both sides in final 5 minutes of first half

The opening 40 minutes or so was a cagey affair. Swansea City looked to get their wingers in behind to create openings while Hull focused on nullifying the Swans.

It was only when both sides’ shapes faltered did the opposition take advantage.

You can see in the xG timeline below that the first half saw little in goalmouth action. The Swans had a few shots from range on goal and Mcburnie’s equaliser was Hull’s only showing after a very quiet 45.

Swansea’s opening goal came from Hull allowing Swansea’s centre-backs to enter their half.

You can see below the difference compared to the earlier screenshots.

Burgess is allowed to enter Hull’s half without pressure and can pick out Vipotnik.

Yalcouye picks up the loose ball and returns the ball quickly back to Vipotnik. The striker does brilliantly to give himself some space inside the box to fire the ball into the bottom corner.

Superb clinical finishing again from the in-form Slovenian.

Hull City strike right back

Hull weren’t able to offer any threat against Swansea’s dominant possession so it was very disappointing to see our lead last barely five minutes.

Just like the opening goal, the equaliser came from the opposition’s shape failing.

Ronald pushed to press the goalkeeper’s long kick and this left space open on Swansea’s right side.

Vipotnik has to cover Ronald’s absence on the right but he can’t get across quick enough – allowing Hull to send in a low cross that Mcburnie stretches out a leg to finish beyond Vigouroux.

Swansea’s out of possession shape is lacking here – Ronald is pressing centrally leaving a big gap down our right side

This allows a cross to come in from the left. Key nor Cabango blocks it and McBurnie can stretch a leg out to see the ball beyond Vigouroux

Space opens up on Hull’s left

Hull were starting to get some space down their left side early in the second half but they were unable to capitalise on it.

Swansea go back in front

Another goal from a side losing their out-of-possession shape. It was the story of the game really.

Hull went on the attack down the left once more but the low cross was interepted – allowing Swansea to break forward.

Ronald pushes forward with the ball before moving the ball inside. Yalcouye does brilliantly to turn into space before racing forward through the middle. He moves the ball out to the right as Ronald continues his forward run – unseen.

Inoussa is unmarked and is given the time to pick out Ronald who is completely free at the back post to stab home Swansea’s second of the game.

Hull were guilty of failing to get back into their defensive shape and ball watching too as they didn’t see Ronald unmarked at the back post.

Negativity and poor game management costs the Swans 2 points

Swansea City failed to capitilise on their 2-1 lead as they invited Hull on and were punished for their negativity.

Sheehan’s substitutions were questionable, too – particularly Cullen coming on for Yalcouye.

A double change on 64 minutes saw like for like swaps as Vipotnik and Inoussa made way for new signing Idah and Eom.

7 minutes later, Cullen came on for Yalcouye.

After Cullen’s header that went well wide on 72 minutes and Franco’s miss-kick that almost went out for a throw-in on 77, Swans offered nothing else in front of goal – preferring to protect a lead and thus inviting pressure from the Tigers.

As you can see in the clip below, Swansea resorted to slow possession and a lack of interest in increasing the tempo and trying to penetrate through their opponents.

In the below clip, we can see further evidence of Swansea’s negative play. An opportunity arises to counter again with Ronald in a similar situation to their second goal but this time they decide to hold the ball up.

The play is slowed down and the ball is played backwards into the defence – giving Hull the time to re-group into their defensive shape.

Hull City deliver a scare in the 82nd minute as, once again, a chance is created from the opposition side failing to get into their solid defensive shape.

From a throw-in, the visitors are allowed to spread the ball out to the right as the Swans have four players all in close proximity – which gives Hull City space to attack.

A low cross comes in but Hull can’t make contact and fortunately the ball rolls out of play for a goal-kick.

Hull keep knocking for an equaliser – and finally it comes

In the 92nd minute, Hull go the closest they’ve been yet to netting an equaliser.

Swansea gave Hull far too much space in wide areas. Their press intensity has backed way off, they’ve dropped a lot deeper and are now inviting on the pressure.

In the clip below, we can see a lack of pressure on the left-sided full-back.

The cross is only half-cleared and a Hull player can easily pick up possession on the outside of the penalty box and move the ball out to the right.

The crosser also has the time and space to send in a low ball and somehow it gets through a crowd of players – McBurnie can help it on but Cabango is well-placed to slide in and block the shot.

The equalising goal finally comes with barely a minute remaining of the 7 added on.

From a right-sided throw-in, the ball is later crossed in towards the far post which is half-cleared by Burgess.

The ball comes back in from the left and a Hull player is unmarked at the far post to head the ball back across. Cullen now heads the ball out of the box but again, a Hull City player is quickest to react, firing a low shot back in to the danger zone, it’s blocked but it drops kindly to Egan who find the back of the net.

We would like to thank WingingItJack for sharing his tactical analysis once again. You can visit and read more tactical analysis by visiting the website here