Swansea City dominated and won this game 3-0. The upshot is that Preston haven’t scored or won in their last seven league games. The crowd was down on last seasons eighteen thousand plus by some 4,500. That needs addressing but really with the style of football we saw today then they should be flocking back in droves now.
A positive start from the Swans saw a much for enhanced style of play, in fact what everyone was screaming out for after Tuesday nights performance. Ronald was looking dangerous down the Swans left complimented by Eom also going places operating from the right.
Josh Tymon had an effort which he struck fairly well from distance, but Woodman in the Preston goal saved easily. The Swans were making numerous chances for themselves but the final touch or ball wasn’t right. Despite that a busy Ollie Cooper linking with Eom kept the away defence on their toes. It has to be said that PNE are no mugs, their link up play into midfield was very positive and accurate, and they too looked to make a game of this fixture. Josh Key presented Robbie Brady with a gilt edge opportunity, slipping on the ball Brady was on to the mistake but his shot was well saved by Vigouroux in the Swansea goal. Ben Cabango also started slightly out of sorts, he too giving the visitors an opportunity. However, thereafter the Swans looked confident at the back with Tymon raiding forwards and linking in with Ronald superbly. Harry Darling never looked anything but assured and confident and was a welcome addition after Tuesdays game. Both he and Ben Cabango really do need to be sitting down and agreeing contracts.
Words too for Franco in midfield, he was terrier like and added a positve touch to captain Matt Grimes game. This is the Swansea we want to see. Late on a clear handball from an Eom cross led to a Swans penalty. Matt Grimes superbly struck the penalty home with Woodman stranded. It was a deserved lead, but on the balance of play it should have been more. The half ended with three minutes extra time and Tymon seemingly in distress with an ankle injury.
Tymon had treatment and returned for he second half.
However, if the Swans thought this was going to be easy then they would think again. The Lilywhites came out rejuvenated. Their play was crisp and sharp, similar to the first half but with more attacking purpose. They threatened and a hotly disputed handball by Harry Darling, protected by all accounts by new handling legislation this season - the shout was turned down by referee Martin. Preston pressed and very much won the first fifteen minutes of the second half. They had chances too and really looked favourites to score next. However it was the Swans who pressed, Liam Cullen bursting down the left flank, crossing for Ollie Cooper to shoot on goal. His shot was on target but was deflected by substitute Azeem Abdulai who scored his second goal in as many matches. Yes, it was fortunate, but if you have to make these chances. A more positive Swansea City and have a guess what ? Goals are scored !
There is a back story to Azeem’s goal. His first touch in general play was as expected, his second for some reason earned him a yellow card, and his third was a goal. Despite being told to play out on the right, which is clearly not his natural position he was again on the scoresheet, and the Swans leading goalscorer over all competitions this season. Zan Vipotnik had also seen service, coming on as sub for Cullen the first time the Swans got the ball in to the box Zan scored. Stretching across his marker and the keeper we saw what is described as a ‘proper strikers’ goal. The Swans won this game 3-0. There was much incident and some very competent performances from the home side. It wasn’t boring, some complained that over the last ten minutes, especially Grimes and Fulton, slowed the game down and runs were not being spotted or ignored in favour of possession. It could have been more, and had there been another goal the Swans would be in the top six tonight. That has to register with Luke Williams.
It was a fine performance overall, once the Swans got their first goal it gave them confidence and the realisation that when you play this way you score goals. The next game is a 3pm kick off on Sunday week against Cardiff City who lost 5-0 today. Let’s hope they bring that type of form to the Swansea.Com for the Welsh derby.
Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; 6 Josh Key 6 (Kyle Naughton 65) 6 Ben Cabango 6 Harry Darling 7 Josh Tymon 7 (Nathan Tjoe-A-On 88) Matt Grimes (captain) 7 Gonçalo Franco 6 (Jay Fulton 65) 6 Ollie Cooper 6 Eom 7 (Azeem Abdulai 57) 6 Liam Cullen 6 (Žan Vipotnik 66) 6 Ronald 8*
Unused Substitutes: Nathan Broome, Kristian Pedersen, Dan Watts, Josh Thomas.
Preston North End: Freddie Woodman, Ben Whiteman (captain), Liam Lindsay, Emil Riis (Milutin Osmajic 64), Mads Frokjaer (Duane Holmes 72), Robbie Brady (Sam Greenwood 64), Jordan Storey, Andrew Hughes, Ryan Ledson (Jeppe Okkels 64), Stefan Thordarson, Brad Potts.
Unused Substitutes: David Cornell, Jack Whatmough, Will Keane, Patrick Bauer, Kaine Kesler-Hayden.
Referee: Stephen Martin : Had a few wobbly moments, but commanded the game well. 7/10
Match rating 8/10
Attendance: 14,037
PNE approx 300.