Fernando Llorente has no equal in European football when it comes to his aerial ability, according to Swansea City head coach Paul Clement.
Llorente’s two goals in the 3-2 victory over Burnley were both classical centre-forward headers – good enough to eclipse even the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andy Carroll, claimed Clement who worked with the first two of that trio renowned for their ability in the air.
“I’m not sure there is a better player in Europe at attacking crosses than Fernando and I’ve worked with some good ones,” said Clement.
“Any Carroll gets talked about, but Fernando’s come up with key goals for us, including the win at Liverpool. He’s also had a hand with assists. Big credit to him.”
Swansea will raise a glass of sangria to their Spanish striker Llorente – and so might “stag man” referee Anthony Taylor.
Llorente powered in a magnificent injury time winner to decide a thrilling, gripping match in which he and Burnley striker Andre Gray both scored twice.
Clement – in his trademark black undertaker’s coat – did a David Pleat-style jig down the touchline, but Taylor might also toast Llorente in a private moment.
The former World Cup winner took the spotlight off the official’s awful mistake in awarding Burnley a penalty, in the week Taylor had been on a three-day stag trip to Marbella.
Taylor’s hangover from his Spain jaunt was that he wrongly thought a Swansea defender had got a hand to a corner when the home side led 1-0, when replays clearly showed it was Burnley striker Sam Vokes.
Had Clement’s side lost then Swans fans might have got a whole lot angrier about that sangria.
As it was, the hugely impressive Martin Olsson made it 2-2 after Gray’s second goal had put Burnley ahead and then Llorente’s second magnificent header snatched all three points for Clement’s side.
Clement revealed he spoke to Taylor at half-time, when it was 1-1, and questioned him about the penalty.
“I spoke to him. He said he had made an honest decision. It wouldn’t be anything else. But I realized 30 seconds after the incident that it was Vokes’s hand.
“I feel for refs. I referee in games in training. Sometimes, I just guess or go by players’ reactions. What is bizarre is that the refs are the only people in the stadium who don’t have the benefit of technology. It has to come.”
But no-one at the Liberty Stadium needed replays to prove they had seen a superb and genuinely memorable match, in which both clubs proved they should not be among the trio who are relegated.
Swansea have been transformed under Clement, who added: “When I first came in, I said, ‘show me character and that you’re up for the fight.’
“We were bottom that day with 12 points. I saw it that day at Crystal Palace and I’ve seen it every day since.”
Burnley boss Sean Dyche also felt mid-season stag-man Taylor had got his antlers pointing in the wrong direction in allowing Llorente’s winner from Tom Carroll’s cross.
Dyche claimed Llorente had pushed defender Ben Mee and added: “To have a hand that big in your back is a definite foul.
“I thought they were the better side in the first-half, but we hung in there with our willpower. In the second-half we calmed it down.
“We would have nicked a good point today and you have to do that in the Premier League.”
Dyche also paid tribute to Gray, who blasted home his penalty and then turned sharply to coolly slot in his second on the hour.
“He looked calm with his penalty and he’s developing and maturing as a player. He is instinctive in what he does. It was a great turn and a great finish.”
Burnley are still looking for their first away victory of the season, whilst Swansea have now won five of their last eight matches since the sacking of Bob Bradley.
Dyche added: “They weren’t playing or trying like that under the previous manager. That’s the madness of football.”
