On This Day | Ayew brace beats Reds

Andre Ayew scored twice as Swansea City overcame Liverpool to officially secure their Premier League status on May 1, 2016.

The Ghanaian took his league tally for the season to 10 goals, while Jack Cork was also on target as Francesco Guidolin’s side moved 11 points clear of the relegation zone with two matches remaining.

The Swans were desperate for a response following a disappointing performance in their comprehensive 4-0 defeat the previous week by champions-elect Leicester City.

And they made a bright start at the Liberty; taking the lead after 20 minutes as Ayew rose to head home from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s corner.

The advantage was doubled 17 minutes later thanks to a wonderful individual goal by Cork. 

After winning an aerial battle in the centre of the field, the midfielder advanced to the edge of the penalty area, before sending a precise 20-yard effort into the far corner for his first strike of the campaign.

Liverpool were chasing a Champions League place and pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute, with an unmarked Christian Benteke heading home Daniel Sturridge’s corner.

However, the Swans restored their two-goal cushion just two minutes later, when Ayew reacted quickest in the penalty area to fire a low shot into the bottom corner and take his tally for the season into double figures.

The visitors’ misery was compounded 14 minutes from time as Brad Smith was shown a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Jefferson Montero.