defensive performance as his side held firm against in-form
Everton in a 0-0 Premier League draw in which late
substitute Kevin Mirallas was sent off shortly after entering
the fray.
Williams made a string of crucial blocks that ensured
Everton left south Wales frustrated after a contest in which
they had the better chances but found Garry Monk's side in
resilient mood.
Everton picked up where they left off in their 3-1 win over
Chelsea with a confident display of attacking football, with
Ross Barkley and Steven Naismith providing chance after
chance for Romelu Lukaku.
But Williams led from the back as Swansea maintained their
unbeaten home record in 2015-16, although they were
unable to secure a first league win over Everton, who had
substitute Kevin Mirallas sent off late on for a cynical foul on
Modou Barrow.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez made two changes to
the side that beat Chelsea, starting hat-trick hero Naismith,
and giving Tyias Browning a full Premier League debut in
place of the injured Seamus Coleman, while Martinez's
former team-mate Monk drafted Jefferson Montero into the
Swansea line-up.
Browning's first task was to shackle Montero, but the
Ecuadorian quickly forced the defender into a poor tackle
from behind that drew a warning from the referee.
Bafetimbi Gomis shot wide, before latching onto a loose
Gareth Barry header to break clean through on goal, and
only a brilliant one-handed save by Tim Howard kept the
scores level.
But Everton soon turned the tide and Williams had to be alert
to stop Naismith with a crucial block as the game opened
up, with the Swansea skipper was on hand again to deny
Lukaku when he was played in by Barkley an opener failed
to materialise before half-time.
The breakthrough almost came straight after the interval
when Barkley got in behind Kyle Naughton, only for yet
another Williams block to prevent Arouna Kone from
converting.
Barkley continued to terrorise Naughton, beating him again
to set up Brendon Galloway for a near miss, while at the
other end John Stones, making his 50th Everton
appearance, successfully shackled Gomis every time
Swansea tried to pick him out.
On the one occasion Williams was caught out, Barry slotted
a through ball under his nose and Lukaku should have
scored but instead blasted over from 15 yards.
Williams' hero act continued as he cleared Lukaku's mis-hit
off the line, but Howard had to be alert at the other end as
Montero tested him with a fizzing drive.
Naismith was inches from scoring after good work from
Gerard Deulofeu, and it was predictably Williams who
blocked Galloway's ensuing shot as Swansea kept the door
shut.
Mirallas replaced Barkley in stoppage time, but the Belgian's
only notable involvement was to go over the top of the ball
and catch Barrow on the ankle – earning a red card and
capping a deeply disappointing day for the visitors.
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