Paul Clement praised his Swansea City players for
fighting back to draw with Manchester United after
the blow of conceding from a controversial first-
half penalty.
Captain Wayne Rooney scored from the spot after
Marcus Rashford went to ground following a
challenge from goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, with
television replays highlighting that there was barely
any contact.
However, Swansea salvaged a deserved point
through a fine late free-kick from Gylfi Sigurdsson,
which could prove crucial in their bid to stay in the
Premier League.
Head coach Clement believes Rashford was clearly
guilty of diving but credited his team for responding
positively to that set-back.
"My players clearly thought it wasn't a penalty
and, seeing the replay the player has deceived the
referee," he told BT Sport. "It's clear. There's no
other way to look at it.
"The ref [Neil Swarbrick] seemed to have some
doubts because there was a big delay and I spoke
to him afterwards and he said he was only
receiving confirmation from his assistants. It was a
mistake. He went down way before there was
contact."
He added to BBC Sport: "The players were very
frustrated and angry after that penalty decision at
half-time, but we re-focused in the dressing room
on what we had to do.
"That is arguably a clean sheet today and we go
into the next game against Everton fully believing
that we can stay in this league for next season."
Swansea, in 18th place, are two points behind Hull
City with three games left to play.
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