Swansea City 1-1 Birmingham City: Jerry Yates off the mark as Michael Duff's men start new Championship season with a point

Jerry Yates got himself off the mark to rescue a point for Swansea City in their opening game of the new Championship season at home to Birmingham City.

Siriki Dembele's goal on the stroke of half-time handed the visitors the lead in a high-tempo affair at the Swansea.com Stadium, before Yates tucked home a leveller midway through the second half.

Yates was one of four summer signings to receive a competitive debut for this clash, with Premier League loan duo Harrison Ashby and Carl Rushworth slotting straight in following their respective arrivals this week, along with Josh Key, who produced an accomplished performance at left-back.

Joel Piroe was also handed a start despite the ongoing uncertainty around his future, leading the line alongside Yates, who stole the headlines with a well-taken goal 14 minutes from time.

Olivier Ntcham, was a notable absentee, in a development that will prompt further questions over his Swansea future.

Duff's introduction to a typically boisterous Jack Army ahead of kick-off further emphasised the feeling of this being a new era for the Swans. Indeed, had predecessor Russell Martin been watching, there were some passages of play that might just have made him wince.

It's perhaps too early to form a fully rounded opinion on this brand of football, but the philosophy of the current boss is clearly far more direct. Placing a heavier emphasis on getting the ball forward as quickly as possible.

Then again, Duff will have likely been pleased with how young goalkeeper Rushworth settled into Championship football, the 22-year-old getting down well to save a drilled early effort.

Opposite number John Ruddy was then called into action nearly 10 minutes later, combining with former Swan Ethan Laird to