Swansea: South Korean Ki Sung-yueng’s second-half header secured Swansea a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, where he spent last season on loan, in a lively Premier League encounter at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
Ki, who was playing his first game since returning from the Asian Cup where Korea lost to Australia in the final, had a goal ruled out in the first half but made no mistake with his second opportunity after Jermain Defoe had scored his second goal in as many Premier League games for the visitors.
The draw, Sunderland’s 12th this season, leaves Swansea comfortable in ninth while the Black Cats are just four points above the relegation places.
It means Sunderland are still without a win at Swansea since a second tier game the day after US President John F Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963.
French striker Bafetimbi Gomis, who has the onerous responsibility of replacing Manchester City-bound Wilfried Bony, had Swansea’s best early chance, firing in a fierce effort which curled just wide.
Jordi Gomez missed a chance for Sunderland shortly afterwards but it was Gomis again who nearly broke the deadlock after a neat dummy by Mo Barrow teed him up but former Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon did well to prevent the ex-Lyon striker from scoring.
Swansea eventually got the ball into the net, Ki beating Pantilimon, only for it to be ruled out for offside and their disappointment was doubled as Defoe went on a superb solo run from just inside the Swans’ half to score.
The goal was another landmark for the England striker as it meant he had scored against all 20 teams presently in the Premier League.
Swansea, though, kept pressing and produced the more creative and flowing football which was eventually rewarded with Ki nipping in to plant a diving header past Pantilimon with just under 25 minutes remaining.
