Carlos hails 'epic point'

Carlos Carvalhal paid tribute to his players after Swansea City battled their way to an “epic point” at Huddersfield despite Jordan Ayew’s early red card.

Ayew was dismissed just 11 minutes in at the John Smith’s Stadium after a challenge with home skipper Jonathan Hogg.

From that moment on, the Swans set about digging deep to hold on to what they had, and they managed just that thanks to a superb defensive shift.

Huddersfield dominated possession and had numerous efforts on goal, but Lukasz Fabianski led from the back as the Swans claimed a hugely creditable goalless draw.

After comparing his team’s performance against West Ham last week to a rock and roll concert, Carvalhal conceded that Huddersfield called the tune today.

But that was not to suggest that his players did not deserve a huge amount of praise.

“Huddersfield played opera – they moved the ball from side to side and we had to listen to their music for a long time,” Carvalhal said.

“But the most important thing is that in the end, we achieved what we wanted. It was an epic point.

“Before the game we felt a point would be good, but afterwards it feels massive because of the circumstances of the game.

“We got a point because my players showed big character.

“It is not easy to play against Huddersfield. We prepared all week with two attackers, Jordan Ayew and Andre Ayew, to give us a bridge to attack.

“But when we lost Jordan so early, we lost that bridge and I knew then it would be very difficult to attack.

“We had to defend, but that didn’t just mean putting everybody in our box. We had to defend with quality and we did that.”

Huddersfield came closest to scoring in the second half when they twice hit the woodwork.

Steve Mounie’s vicious volley was brilliantly pushed on to the bar by Fabianski before Tom Ince headed against the post.

“Huddersfield fought a lot to get the win but they didn’t get it because we fought and showed the character to get a point,” Carvalhal added.

“At the end we are really happy. I don’t want to have to defend like that in games, but these were the circumstances of the game.

“We are trying to stay in the Premier League. We lost a player after 11 minutes and I know what Huddersfield can do with the ball, but we were brave and we defended very well.

“In the end it’s a point that tastes sweeter than sometimes three points do.”