Russell Martin was delighted at the end of this afternoons game as his team brushed aside a pretty mundane and clueless Hull City. Despite no goals in the first half when really the swans should have scored three at least the second half was as good as we’ve seen this season.
And seeing a Hull City side playing so similarly to Swansea City of last season displayed a team very much apart from this afternoons winners. After a dominant first half most would have expected the usual half hearted displays we have seen this season, but at last the swans found themselves putting in a complete performance. A performance much deserved for the watching jack army. They have been rewarded for their patience.
There so many positives from the appearance once again of the three loan players to the determination of striker Joel Piroe who really could have scored five if the truth is told. Smashing two shots against the crossbar in the first half and missing two other chances as the home side took complete control of matters. Ozan Tufan and Dmitrios Pelkas tried in vain to bring some competition to the game but looked off the pace and disinterested throughout the game.
Luke Cundle delighted to score the swans second goal
Ryan Manning opened up the scoring on the hour after Matthew Sorinola managed to get a decent cross in and the Irishman who again had another great game volleyed home the pass. It was nothing more than the swans deserved, their inter passing and positivity throughout the pitch was exactly what the home support have been waiting for this season. With Tuesdays performance put to bed, and even that was a decent enough shout against a team at the top of the league, todays was as good as we have seen - but it has taken ten games.
Three minutes later the second goal came from the enigmatic Luke Cundle latching on to a comedy sketch of errors in the Hull defence. It was his first career goal. The same nonsense happened when Piroe intercepted a poor pass at the back of the Hull defence and fired home the third goal. Piroe fully deserved the goal after his work rate and determination throughout the afternoon.
The nerves were not there, and despite losing Joe Allen in the first half Luke Cundle was more than an admirable replacement. Sky man of the match Cundle was happy after the game " We controlled the game it was a deserved three points in the end, I’m here because of the gaffer and his football ideas, we just have to keep going” Piroe talking to Sky TV said " I just wanted to break it ( not taking chances ) we will carry on after the international break”
Russell Martin speaking post match " : "I'm really proud of the players. It feels like it's been coming, even today we should have scored more goals. It could have led to anxiety when it was goalless at half time. But it was a great performance, we were outstanding without the ball out of possession. We've been talking about our playing shape bringing goals, and it's nice to get that today. Joel [Piroe] has just had that finishing touch missing this season, but everyone can see what he means to us though, and he's getting better and better all the time. He's finished the hardest chance, and he will contribute massively this season." Martin added that Joe Allen, who went off injured after half an hour, does not believe the injury is "too serious".
It was an all round brilliant day for the swans manager.
Piroe again, a much deserved goal
The international break will be well utilised by Russell Martin even though he will be without a number of players due to international call ups. The swans return to action against West Bromwich Albion on October 1st, the first of seven October games for Swansea City, and a string of games that will be a serious test for Russell Martin and Swansea City.
At last the goals come !
Swansea City: Benda; Wood, Naughton, Cabango; Sorinola (Stevens 90+3), Allen (Cundle 31), Grimes (C), Manning; Fulton, O Cooper (Oko-Flex 90+3); Piroe (Obafemi 88).
Subs not used: Fisher, Darling, Ntcham.
Goals: Manning 62, Cundle 64, Piroe 85
Yellow card: Wood 77
Hull City: Baxter, Elder, Greaves, Figueiredo, Coyle (C), Slater, Seri (Woods 75), Ozan, Vale (Longman 67), Oscar (Christie 82), Pelkas (Docherty 75).
Subs not used: Ingram, Smith, McLoughlin.
Yellow cards: Slater 48, Docherty 79
Attendance: 15,207
Referee: Keith Stroud 7/10 : Pretty decent by his usual standards