Fernando Llorente has been praised by Swansea City manager Bob Bradley for his survival instinct as well as his striker’s prowess.
Llorente came off the bench to score twice, including the winner in the Swans’ 5-4 win over Crystal Palace – a match Bradley described as “crazy”.
Those goals came a week after the Spaniard was left out of the squad altogether for the draw at Everton, with Bradley later admitting he had questioned the £5m signing’s full fitness and the impact he was having.
“So much got made of the decision last week but the discussion between Fernando and myself was positive,” said Bradley.
“There was never one second where he misunderstood the message. He came on and showed what he can really do for our team going forward.”
Bradley says his first Premier League win can turn Swansea’s season around after a “wild finish” to their victory over Palace.
The two stoppage-time goals from Llorente saw Swansea claim their first league win since the opening weekend of the season in a game which swung in both teams’ favour during a thrilling encounter.
Having been 3-1 behind, Palace drew level through a Jack Cork own-goal before Christian Benteke put them 4-3 ahead in the 84th minute, only to end up losing the game after Llorente’s late brace.
Despite having sympathy for Palace manager Alan Pardew, whose side have now suffered six top-flight defeats in a row, Bradley hopes the manner of the result can change Swansea’s fortunes.
“I’ve been on both sides, so I know what it’s like for Crystal Palace and Alan Pardew,” said Bradley.
“But for our group, we’ve had a stretch where it feels like nothing has gone our way. When I see the ball deflect off Jack Cork’s head for the third goal I’m thinking more of the same.
“But they get credit because they kept going, and sometimes you need something like that to turn a season around. From the day I arrived I appreciate what kind of guys they are, love the club, and maybe we can use it in the most positive way possible.”
Bradley added: “That’s a wild finish. To take the first win like that and know how important it is for the players and supporters, extra special.”
Bradley also hailed the Swansea supporters after disagreements between the club’s owners and the supporters’ trust.
The fans, man the fans,” said Bradley. “I know that it’s been difficult. I tried to speak at the press conference on Thursday about how there’s different things going on between the supporters’ trust and club, and everything.
“The most important thing is that when we come here to the Liberty that everything is put aside and we are all together. Hopefully today shows that. It’s the loudest I heard it.”
Swansea moved above Sunderland with the win and are now just two points behind Crystal Palace in 16th.
