Kieffer Moore stuns Swansea City in epic comeback

Kieffer Moore’s incredible impact helped Bournemouth recover from three-nil down to draw with Swansea City in South Wales.

Omens and superstition are a part of football. Some players pull their right sock up before their left, others always eat the same meal. For Swansea against AFC Bournemouth, on this Tuesday night in April, each and every demonic hint lay in the visitors’ favour.

Swansea hadn’t scored against Bournemouth since a 3-2 defeat in 2016 where Modou Barrow netted, a total of eight matches under six different managers.

The last manager to actually win against Bournemouth for the Swans was Roberto Martinez in 2007, some 15 years ago, in which both clubs have been promoted and subsequently relegated from the Premier League.

Despite Swansea’s eight-game unbeaten run, the omens were bleak. To say the least.

From minute one at the Swansea.com Stadium, in mild sun, it was proven that omens mean zilch. Nowt.

Immediately the host’s midfield press was dominating that of their leaf-green donning visitors, claiming and regaining possession at their own will. It wasn’t going to be long, it felt.

A darting run from Michael Obafemi directly at the defence caused havoc, squirming the ball left only for a rebounded cross to fall at the feet of Joel Piroe. A swing of the left boot didn’t even need observing – just shut your eyes, and expect the Swansea roar. After just six minutes, the Bournemouth blockade had been broken down.

It was the first goal, as mentioned, scored for the South Wales outfit against Bournemouth since 2016.

Six years, but it only took six minutes. It would only take six minutes more for the Swans to double their lead.

Piroe has been a nuisance all season, but the moment he produced to make it two was nothing but pure quality. Cutting in on the left-hand side, he struck a left-footed shot past the reach of Mark Travers into the far corner. At first glance, the Irish goalkeeper looked suspect – but the effort was so well placed he had little chance.

The two goals sparked multitudes of tactical changes from Scott Parker – including shifting Ryan Christie from centre, to left, and eventually to right – but their main threat came mostly from set pieces.

Nat Phillips flicked on firstly to Dominic Solanke, who looked to score from point-blank range and scuffed. Jefferson Lerma’s near-post header just minutes later went inches wide.

The main theme of the first half came on Swansea’s offensive left – with Hannes Wolf against Ethan Laird a battle so unexpectedly one-sided. Parker subsequently changed shape at half-time with Phillip Billing coming on to sure up the midfield.

The Cherries very nearly found a route back into the game after Jaiden Anthony was found at the far post, but Andy Fisher stretched his limb out to deny him from within the six-yard box. It was quite an outstanding piece of reactionary goalkeeping.

It seemed to have proved costly for Bournemouth as Joel Piroe placed an impeccable ball into Obafemi. His turn saw a scarpering Cyrus Christie down the right-hand side, who smashed into Travers’ near post.

All seemed to be out of sight, but the emerging figure from the Bournemouth bench was one Swans’ fans knew all too well. Kieffer Moore.

Having not scored on any of his attempts in Cardiff Blue, his first leap from a corner in Bournemouth green resulted in a bullet header which flashed past Fisher. Game on.

A shift of momentum and mentality coursed through the veins of each individual inside the Swansea.com Stadium. Where there had been a calm, even a relaxation amongst Swansea fans, a sense of alarm crept in their minds.

Bournemouth were buoyed. With Parker kicking every ball and pulling every string he could, Martin’s men aligned themselves as a block on the edge of their own box.

An attack on the right-hand side saw a cross hit a Swansea arm, not originally spotted by referee Darren Bond. His assistant was keen-eyed, however, and alerted the correct decision to him.

Dominic Solanke converted after a hop and a wiggle, sending the away fans into raptures.

Kieffer Moore was always a handful as a Cardiff player, and his unfortunate injury since joining the Cherries may have hindered his reputation at his level – alongside his poor start to the season. But this night reinstated any doubters.

After Solanke’s flicked header was palmed away, his predatory instincts shone through as he pounced to level. Scott Parker threw his hands in the air, and the Bournemouth bench spilt onto the pitch.

The match was written in scripture. Travelling to his old foe, after so many months out. We spoke about omens earlier, and narratives such as these have a way of weaving themselves into football. There was a true feeling that something special would be witnessed, and my, oh my, we witnessed a treat.

A deserved draw for Bournemouth, a frustrating one for a complacent Swansea. All is still to play for in the promotion race.

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