Rob DaviesSwansea City bounced back from the disappointment of the midweek defeat at Stoke City to comeback to win at home to Bristol City in a soaking wet afternoon in South Wales.
Michael Obafemi led the way in his best display in a Swans shirt, netting the equaliser and producing some barnstorming runs that the away side couldn’t deal with – finally showing the promise we were all hoping to see.
Despite the best efforts of the home defence, Bristol City squandered a number of half chances in the first half, gifted to them by sloppiness at the back as Russell Martin’s men continue to look to play out from defence.
They managed to score just before the interval, Ben Cabango’s sloppy pass losing possession after a run into the opposition’s half which saw Antoine Semenyo feed Andi Weimann and despite having lots to do, he clinically finished past Andy Fisher for 1-0.
Despite the moans and groans at half time, goals from Obafemi, Cyrus Christie and an injury time Joel Piroe strike perhaps flattered the Swans, but saw the home side take all three points.
Martin made four changes to the midweek team, outgoing the suspended Ryan Bennett, Olivier Ntcham, Korey Smith and Jay Fulton. In came debutant Finley Burns, Ryan Manning, Jamie Paterson and Joel Piroe.
Fisher
Burns – Cabango – Manning
Christie – Downes – Grimes – Wolf
Piroe – Obafemi – Paterson
In a wet and windy opening, Swansea dominated possession as they so often do with lots of play being focused down both flanks, with Wolf getting some change out of right back Cameron Pring. Early crosses from both him and Christie were overhit when in good positions.
Obafemi, who seems to be really starting to shine, seemed to want to create opportunities all on his own, perhaps frustrated with his teammates’ preference to keep the passing statistics high rather than take a risk going forward.
The striker saw an effort blocked after a strong run and looked really dangerous; being critical perhaps his first touch was lacking at the vital time although his improvement is clear to see.
Both sides had half hearted penalty shouts turned down, one for Matt Grimes and the other for Weimann before the away side looked to seize the opportunities that were being gifted to them from sloppy passing at the back.
Alex Scott – not the BBC presenter – shot narrowly wide with Fisher beaten, Weimann did the same and Antoine Semenyo fired a shot straight at the goalkeeper as the visitors sensed an opening.
They were right, as the 2000 strong away following were cheering five minutes before the interval as Cabango’s pass for Piroe was intercepted and despite calls for the linesman’s flag, Weimann was onside and stayed calm when beating down on goal, firing into the top left corner past a stranded Fisher.
That was the cue for some half time boos and groans from the home faithful, who had been frustrated with the lack of urgency on the back of a hopeless display at Stoke in midweek. In particular the defence and goalkeeper looked particularly shaky providing further reason for concern.
No changes at half time but more intensity thereafter, with Swansea bringing all the pressure and they were finally rewarded with an equaliser as Christine’s cross/shot was tapped in by the alert Obafemi at the back post to bring some relief to the majority of the 19,000 crowd at the Swansea.com.
They were lucky not to be punished from some more sloppiness at the back as Fisher was a little wayward with his passing and the tactic from Nigel Pearson was clearly to close down the goalkeeper and centre halves at every opportunity to force a mistake.
Obafemi was unlucky to see yellow for a challenge with the goalkeeper after an inviting ball from Wolf whilst Robins striker Chris Martin flicked over from a corner.
Swansea were again retaining possession with little to show for it until some further urgency was added when Ntcham was introduced for debutant Burns – who looked solid and Flynn Downes dropped back into the back three.
The upped tempo was rewarded in the 80th minute when a surging run from Manning saw a delightful cross come in from the left and with Christie and Obafemi vying for the ball, the former’s header was blocked before he met the rebound. It seemed to take an age to go in, but in it went for 2-1 and you’d probably say Swansea were just about good value for the lead.
The away team attempted to put pressure on for an equaliser but despite forcing a couple of free kicks, it was Swans fans who were celebrating again as Joel Piroe picked up the ball thirty yards out, slipped the ball through the legs of a defender and smashed home left footed from just inside the area to score his first goal since December.
Thankfully that was practically the end of the action as Martin’s team bounced back from a goal down to take the three points much to the delight of the manager and players at a soaked stadium.
Unsure if it’s wise to say that was progress, it was certainly an improved second half display but all the hallmarks of the recent issues were there. Too much pointless passing and possession for the sake of it but that increased intensity in the second half was enough to claw the game back and win against one of the Swans’ close rivals in terms of League positions at least.
No doubt a tougher game to come next Saturday at Sheffield United, as Bristol City were pretty average at best and only created from the home side’s mistakes.
We will see what that brings, until then let’s enjoy a Sunday with three points and three goals – only the fourth time we’ve scored more than two all season.
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