Swansea Suffer Dyer Injury Blow in Norwich Draw

by Matthew Thomas

Swansea endured a second 1-1 Premier League draw, after a Gary Hooper stunner helped Norwich capture a point at Carrow Road.

Nathan Dyer had put the Swans in front with a deft lob over John Ruddy after beating Sebastien Bassong to a long ball. The winger was then stretchered off with a serious ankle injury, which is set to rule the winger out for an extended period.

Norwich’s summer signing from Celtic, Hooper, volleyed in a 25 yard stunner for his fourth goal in six league games.

Wilfried Bony passed up a late opportunity for Michael Laudrup’s team, while Michael Turner was denied by Swansea’s crossbar before Michel Vorm had to be alert to keep out a close range effort from Hooper.

Looking for their first Premier League victory over the Canaries, Swansea started brightly and were nearly ahead within ten minutes. Pablo Hernandez cut inside and flashed his right-footed shot just wide of the near post.

With twelve minutes gone and the Welsh side were in front. A long drilled pass from Ashley Williams caused problems for Bassong allowing Dyer to steal in a lob the ball over Ruddy and into the net.

Michu then fired over from Ben Davies’ cross before the Swans nearly gifted Norwich the equaliser.

Hooper won possession from Williams inside the area but could only fire over under pressure from Vorm and the retreating Swansea backline.

Then with under five minutes of the half remaining Swansea lost Dyer when he landed awkwardly on his ankle, not helped by Bassong inadvertently landing on the winger. After being stretchered off, x-rays showed there was no fracture but Laudrup is waiting for the result of an MRI scan.

To add insult to the serious injury, four minutes into six minutes of added time and the hosts were level. A lovely chest off from Johan Elmander set up Hooper who looped in a stunning volley from well outside the box.

Norwich started the second period stronger with Bassong and Whittaker testing the Swans defence.

Pozuelo then curled wide after good build-up play from Hernandez.

The home side then went dangerously close to going in front. Vorm’s sloppy punch fell straight to Michael Tuner who headed against the crossbar and the rebound cannoned off Jordi Amat for a Norwich corner.

Chris Hughton’s Canaries then had another chance to snatch the match when Vorm’s poor punch led to another corner. And seconds later the Dutch international had to parry Hooper’s shot from 12 yards out.

Substitute Wilfried Bony curled wide when well-placed and Jonjo Shelvey was denied twice. First by a Bassong block and John Ruddy after a lovely pass from Pozuelo.

That was the last goalmouth action as the two side shared the points, leaving Swansea in tenth in the Premier League.