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Paul Clement admits survival fight could go to last game after Swansea draw with Boro

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Swansea boss Paul Clement hopes their 0-0 draw will be a good point at the end of the season

Swansea boss Paul Clement admitted the battle for Premier League survival could go to the final game of the season after his side drew 0-0 with fellow strugglers Middlesbrough on Sunday.

The draw means the Swans remain just a point ahead of the relegation zone with eight games to play.

"I think it will go right down to the final games of the season, if not the final game," he said. "And we have to be well prepared and give our best in every individual game we have."

Swansea dominated proceedings at the Liberty Stadium but could not break down one of the division's meanest defences.

SWANSEA, WALES - APRIL 02:  Paul Clement, Manager of Swansea City walks onto the pitch to speak to his players after the Premier League match between Swans
Image: Paul Clement (left) shows his frustration after his side's goalless draw with Middlesbrough

"I do not know if it will be a decent point, I hope so come the end of the season," said Clement. "We pushed and pushed today, but we just lacked a little bit in that final third.

"I know they had a big chance at the end, but the statistics read that they did not have a shot on goal in the whole game.

"And we peppered their box with crosses and set plays, they defended that very well. But we looked like the most likely team who were going to go on and win it.

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Swansea 0-0 Middlesbrough

"A point is better than nothing and at this stage of the season, where points are so valuable, it could turn out to be very important. We wanted more, we did not get it, so we move on to the next game.

"We were getting the ball into some good areas in the wide positions, more players getting forward into the box, and I think we did that better in the second half. We looked more threatening, but we just could not get that clear-cut opportunity.

"[Gylfi] Sigurdsson had a great opportunity from a set play, last-gasp defending from them when Leroy Fer got in, Alfie Mawson had one cleared off the line. So we pushed and pushed, but just could not get that goal we needed."

The Swans felt aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty four minutes from time when Adam Forshaw appeared to have handled Sigurdsson's goalbound free-kick, only for referee Bobby Madley to wave away their appeals.

SWANSEA, WALES - APRIL 02:  Fabio Da Silva of Middlesbrough (L) and Leroy Fer of Swansea City (R) battle to win a header during the Premier League match be
Image: Middlesbrough defender Fabio Da Silva (left) challenges for the ball with Swansea midfielder Leroy Fer at the Liberty

Clement said: "I did not see it real time, but when it hit the player, the reaction of my players was, 'Let's get on with the corner'.

"But having looked back at it, he clearly comes out with his arms and that does not look like a natural position to me."

Next up for Swansea is a home game with title challengers Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night, and Clement is unsure whether top-scorer Fernando Llorente will be fit for that clash after missing the Boro game with an ankle injury.

"I do not know yet, let's see how he got on today at the training ground," said the boss. "Everyone is back in tomorrow, we will see how everybody got through the game today."

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