Fernando Llorente upbeat over Swansea's Premier League survival chances
Sunday 7 May 2017 10:52, UK
Fernando Llorente is confident Swansea will stay up after escaping the Premier League relegation zone with two games left to play.
Hull's shock 2-0 defeat to already-relegated Sunderland had handed Swansea the perfect incentive before their Saturday evening kick-off.
And Llorente's 29th-minute header rewarded a performance full of energy and endeavour.
"The Hull result was good for us, but we were only concentrating on our match," said Spain striker Llorente.
"We played a good game with high intensity.
"In the second half, we did not play so well because there was a lot of tension in the players.
"But our confidence is up and if we continue in this way I think we will stay in the league.
"It depends on our results now, we have two matches left and if we win those we stay in the league."
Swansea have one more point than Hull ahead of their final games, away to Sunderland next Saturday and at home to West Brom on the last day of the season.
Hull's remaining two games are at Crystal Palace - who can still be overhauled by the Tigers and Swansea - and at home to Tottenham.
"This victory was so important for us and now we will be very focused this week on the Sunderland match," said Llorente, who won two LaLiga relegation battles early in his career at Athletic Bilbao.
"Sunderland are a dangerous team now, they have nothing to lose and they will want to win at home against us.
"But we have to continue in this way, because as players we all know how important these games are."
No player has scored more Premier League headed goals this season than Llorente.
And the World Cup-winner showed his aerial strength again when rising above Phil Jagielka to meet the excellent Jordan Ayew's far-post cross.
But Llorente was simply relieved after spurning a golden opportunity to grab a last-minute winner in last week's 1-1 draw at Manchester United.
"I am very happy to score," Llorente said.
"Last weekend I could have scored at Old Trafford but I didn't, so I wanted to score to make up for that.
"But I'm very happy for my goals in my first year in the Premier League."
