That’s four home games undefeated for the Swans, two wins and two draws as the three matches since the International break have thrown up seven points from nine. However, there’s a lot more to this story than meets the eye, this game wasn’t one which head coach, Luke Williams will be proud of.
Later we will have his post match interview.
The game offered up a very decent first half, and that could be said for both sides. It was Bristol City who looked more lively in the first ten minutes, the Swans looking vulnerable on their left hand side. With Yu Hirakawa looking very dangerous putting in crosses, which really did bother the Swans defence the visitors looked favourites to open the scoring. Lawrence Vigouroux in the Swans goal pulled off another superb save from Scott Twine whose snap shot in his six yard box looked destined to be a goal.
Swansea gradually manoeuvred themselves into the game, dominating possession and Eom on the left was a complete menace throughout the half. He had two shots at goal he really should have done better with, and his work with Ollie Cooper and Josh Tymon was a joy to watch at times. A misplaced pass by Matt Grimes nearly led to the opening goal but again the Swans defended well. Zan Vipotnik looked a bit better compared to recent performances, he had a snap shot which went out for a corner. From that set piece Ronald held off the Robins goalkeeper for Ben Cabango to arrive at the far post and slot the ball home for the first goal of the game.
That move infuriated Bristol City head coach, Liam Manning, but the game is a contact sport, and much of that move has come from the training pitch. Set piece coach, Alan Sheehan again coming up with the goods.
On the overall play in the first half that Swansea goal was deserved. The frustration started in this game around thirty minutes with the walking football of Harry Darling, it’s totally unnecessary. And at a time when the Swans could have pressed for a second goal. It seems this behaviour is still to be understood by certain players. The nature of this play by Darling sums up either a lack of awareness or his failure to implement his coaches requirements. That style of play, basically how anyone can say it’s come from Luke Williams, frustrates the crowd, and especially when the Swans could and should be looking at securing the game.
Franco (below) had a magnificent chance to increase the scoreline but his effort he blasted straight at the keeper, really more composure was needed and the Swans would have been two up.
Ollie Cooper displayed his commitment to the cause when he charged down Luke McNally, the ball deflected and travelled towards the Robins goal for around forty yards, but agonisingly bounced off the post. Ronald looked lively on the right hand side for the Swans but the referee brought the game to a first half close with the Swans 1-0 up.
The second half belonged to the visitors in as much as they went looking for goals and in the end they found one from the head of Jason Knight. The first set piece the Swans have conceded from this season, and the first Bristol City have scored from this season. Both Ben Cabango and Joe Allen clearly caught flat footed from a precise corner. The Swans showed very little in the second half, the substitutions seeing Joe Allen and Myles Peart-Harris coming on and really having no effect on this game. Azeem Abdulai also came on but his contribution once again was limited and he had no impact on the game. It’s at times like this this the Swans are exposed due to their lack of strength in depth, and the introduction of those second half replacements once again nearly lost the game. With Liam Cullen confirming his withdrawal this morning, and a player in Zan Vipotnik still finding his feet the lack of depth is also exposed within the first eleven.
Post match we again saw a very annoyed Luke Williams, and when asked about if there will be any improvement in his side this week he replies, There needs to be’ We will add that interview here when we get it.
⚽️ Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux, 8 Kyle Naughton 6 (Josh Key 60) 6 Ben Cabango, 6 Harry Darling 5, Josh Tymon 6 Matt Grimes (captain) 6 Goncalo Franco 7 (Joe Allen 73), 5 Ollie Cooper; 7 Ronald 5 Žan Vipotnik 6 (Myles Peart-Harris 73) 5 Eom 7 (Azeem Abdulai 89).
Unused Substitutes: Jon McLaughlin, Jay Fulton, Florian Bianchini, Nathan Tjoe-A-On, Nelson Abbey.
⚽️ Bristol City: Max O'Leary, Max Bird (Joe Williams 57), Yu Hirakawa (Mark Sykes 57), Scott Twine (Fally Mayulu 86), Anis Mehmeti, Jason Knight (captain), Zak Vyner, Luke McNally, George Tanner, Haydon Roberts (Cameron Pring 57), Sinclair Armstrong (Nahki Wells 68).
Unused Substitutes: Stefan Bajic, Kal Naismith, Marcus McGuane, George Earthy.
Referee: Andrew Kitchen 6/10. Let the game flow. Understands that physical contact in football is allowed.
Attendance: 16,328
1,753 away
Stats
Watch the highlights below