Bore draw does nothing to ease relegation fears
Swansea City edged a point clear of the Premier League relegation zone after its basement battle with Middlesbrough ended in a forgettable 0-0 stalemate.
Middlesbrough, playing for the second time under Steve Agnew following Aitor Karanka's dismissal as head coach last month, were unable to improve their return as the top flight's most shot-shy attack – even when faced with its leakiest defence.
The Swans carried the greater threat, with Boro keeper Victor Valdes working hardest for his clean sheet by keeping Jordan Ayew and Gylfi Sigurdsson at bay either side of half-time.
Not for the first time this season, Adama Traore's end product did not match his lively invention in attack for Middlesbrough, while Rudy Gestede nodded a last-gasp, gilt-edged chance wide for the visitor, which remains second bottom and five points shy of its opponent.
It will need to produce better against 18th-place Hull City in midweek – Marco Silva's side now lies a point shy of Swansea.
