West Bromwich Albion 3-2 Swansea City: Poor start costs Swans remarkable comeback in five-goal thriller

Michael Duff suffered his first competitive defeat as Swansea City boss, despite his side threatening a sensational comeback in a five-goal thriller at West Bromwich Albion.

A desperate start saw the hosts race into a deserved 3-0 lead. Semi Ajayi opened the scoring after just 18 minutes, before a Carl Rushworth own goal and a John Swift penalty after the break appeared to put the game beyond the visitors, who nearly pulled one back through Jerry Yates, only for the striker to be denied by the crossbar.

However, two goals in five minutes very nearly set the Swans up for a remarkable point, with Harry Darling heading home 15 minutes from time, before Nathan Wood bundled an effort over the line.

Ben Cabango very nearly provided a late leveller, but could only head wide in what was, in the end, a thoroughly entertaining contest.

Certainly there's some momentum for Duff to build on, but he will nevertheless be concerned at how flat his side looked for most of this game.

Swansea, fresh off their impressive trouncing of League One Northampton Town in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, made just one change from the side that drew with Birmingham City on the opening day, with Ollie Cooper making his first start of the season.

However, it was Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino who inspired the Swans' best periods in this game.

The midfielder might well have been linked with a move to Barcelona back in November, but started his Swansea career from the bench here after completing his loan move on Friday.

He, and the 2,000 fans in the away end, watched on as the Swans waddled out of the blocks during a desperate first half that was frustratingly devoid of attacking ideas.

West Brom admittedly took their time to notice enough to really take