We deserved more, says Monk
12th February
Garry Monk praised his side for their "magnificent" performance after the Swans drew 1-1 with Stoke City in windy conditions at the Britannia Stadium.
Chico Flores' early second-half equaliser earned the visiting side a share of the spoils after Peter Crouch put the hosts in front inside 20 minutes.
After a bright start for the Swans, Crouch gave Stoke the lead when he hit home from 12-yards after Peter Odemwingie's initial shot rebounded back off the post and straight into the feet of Crouch.
Despite the setback, Monk's side continued to dominate proceedings and were eventually rewarded for their hard work when Chico flicked home Pablo Hernandez's corner into the far corner of the net, just after the midway point.
And with just over ten minutes left on the clock, Wilfried Bony nearly grabbed a winner for the Swans, only to see his effort cleared off the line superbly by Ryan Shawcross.
Speaking after the match, Monk was happy with a point but felt his side deserved all three.
"It could have been three," said the Swans head coach. "The way we went out in the second half, we were magnificent.
"We went a goal behind, but the boys didn't let it affect them. They dug in deep. You have to dig in deep and show that character here.
"We kept the ball, passed it and pressed them when we needed to. We created a good few chances to win the game.
"It was good defending on the line from Shawcross [to clear Bony's strike]. Wilfried is disappointed, but I told him not to worry about it. The effort he gave for the team and all of the boys collectively was great.
"I think the character and quality of football really came through in the second-half.
"I'm not grumbling about a point either, but you're always greedy - that's the mentality you have to have.
"But Stoke are a good team and I can't grumble about a point."
Monk also saved some special praise for goalscorer Chico, who he felt was man of the match tonight.
"Chico was my man of the match," he added. "Everything you want from a defender, he gave it today. He was a rock, he was solid, and he led really well from the back.
"When you see people like that, it gives the team a lift. He was a colossus at the back tonight/
"The goal was a bonus as well. If you watch it, you'll see he took it really well."
Meanwhile, Stoke boss Mark Hughes credited the Swans for their impressive performance.
"I think on the night, we got our noses in front and we hoped to go on from that, but we didn't. Performance-wise it wasn't our best, but that's credit to Swansea. They played their football like they do and gave us a tough game.
"We had a couple of decisions go against us, but it would have been a bit unfair on Swansea because they had chances to score more goals."
