Barnsley’s dreams of a Premier League return after 24 years has come to an end following a draw at Swansea when only a victory would have been enough to keep them in the tie.
This was Barnsley’s eighth play-off semi-final leg and the first one to end in a draw (W4 L3)
Including finals Barnsley have played 11 play-off games and only two have ended in draws – both against Swansea as they drew 2-2 in the League One final in 2006.
Barnsley have failed to reach the final of the play-offs for the first time (from four campaigns) and therefore the first time they have failed to win at least one of the legs.
This draw ended Barnsley’s 100% record in away play-off legs after winning 4-0 at Birmingham, 3-1 at Huddersfield and 3-1 at Walsall.
This was only Barnsley’s fourth away draw of the season and only the second under Ismael (also 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest in January)
Swansea scored in the same minute of both legs (39th minute)
This was the first time Barnsley have gone through both play-off semi-final legs without picking up a booking.
They have gone back to back games without a booking for the first time since January (against Norwich in the FA Cup and then Cardiff in the Championship)
Barnsley have gone four games without a win (all comps) for the first time under Valerien Ismael and only the second time in 2020-2021 after a run of seven between 19th September and 24th October.
Barnsley have now failed to win any of their last 18 meetings with Swansea (all comps) D8 L10.
They have also failed to win any of the last 13 clashes at Swansea (D3 L10)
There were only five shots on target, the lowest in a Barnsley game for nine games since Reading at home in April (3)
Barnsley Team:
40. Brad Collins
20. Toby Sibbick
30. Michal Helik
6. Mads Andersen
7. Callum Brittain
27. Alex Mowatt
21. Romal Palmer
4. Callum Styles
29. Victor Adeboyejo
14. Carlton Morris
9. Cauley Woodrow
Substitutes:
2. Jordan Williams (for Palmer 45)
10. Daryl Dike (Adeboyejo 45)
5. Liam Kitching (for Sibbick 89)
Unused Substitutes:
1. Jack Walton, 11. Conor Chaplin, 24. Aapo Halme, 26. Michael Sollbauer, 28. Dominik Frieser, 34. Jasper Moon.
Swansea Team:
1 Freddie Woodman
26. Kyle Naughton
44. Ben Cabango
5. Marc Guehi
24. Jake Bidwell
6. Jay Fulton
8. Matt Grimes
14. Conor Hourihane
10. Andre Ayew
15. Wayne Routledge
9. Jamal Lowe
Substitutions:
23. Connor Roberts (for Routledge 54)
7. Korey Smith (for Hourihane 74)
Unused Substitutes:
2. Ryan Bennett, 3. Ryan Manning, 17. Morgan Whittaker, 18. Ben Hamer, 20. Liam Cullen, 21. Yan Dhanda, 22. Joel Latibeaudiere.
Swansea manager Steve Cooper said:
"We showed a lot of character and determination over the last two games.
"Respect to Barnsley and the journey that they've been on this year. They've been as in-form a team as anybody in the second part of the season.
"They test you in a different way. It's hard to play against and it's hard to get rhythm.
"So we knew we had to do certain parts of the game well and we did. What I like about that is that, fans back in the stadium for the first time, people being away for 14 months.
"We're going through a pandemic and they're seeing a team that's just fighting and giving everything they can for their people. That's important to me."
Sky Bet Championship results
SATURDAY 22ND MAY 2021
Brentford 3-1 AFC Bournemouth (aggregate 3-2)
Danjuma 5
Toney pen 16
Janelt 50
Forss 81
Swansea City 1-1 BARNSLEY (aggregate 2-1)
Grimes 39
Woodrow 71