Rob Davies
We saw it all last season, seven league goals scored, none conceded against Cardiff City but somehow a very last gasp winner from Ben Cabango yesterday topped everything that has come before.
In a stunning finale with the scores level at 2-2 after a Cardiff fightback, a free kick was awarded right on the edge of the box and after Jay Fulton struck a post, the rebound fell gleefully to the Welsh defender to slide home.
The scenes were incredible and will live with all Swans fans for a very long time and what’s even more impactful is the damage it did to the Bluebirds’ perilous position in the Championship. This morning they sit outside the drop zone on goal difference only thanks to Neil Warnock’s Huddersfield hammering Middlesbrough 4-2.
Joel Piroe and Liam Cullen scored to make it 2-0 in the first half and it all looked to be a rather comfortable away win but as we’ve seen throughout this season defensive and goalkeeping calamities allowed the opposition back in.
First it was the bright spark Jaden Philogene who struck from the edge of the area – Fisher probably at fault – before Ruben Colwill’s fine cross was nodded in unopposed by Sory Kaba late on before Cabango’s 99th minute strike.
Perhaps unsurprisingly Martin kept faith with the eleven that beat Bristol City convincingly just under two weeks ago with a very strong bench including Paterson, Whittaker, Fulton, Allen and Ollie Cooper.
Fisher
Darling – Wood – Cabango – Manning
Grimes – Walsh
Piroe – Ntcham – Cundle
Cullen
So four at the back again – which looks much more comfortable for the players of late. And it took less than three minutes for the first goal to come as Darling’s throw found Piroe inside the area and he turned a couple of times before releasing a rising shot into the roof of the net. Clinical for his 15th of the season.
Indeed it could have been two when Cullen was played through down the left side but his touch was poor and allowed Alsop to gather as the Swans sensed a quick second. But they didn’t have to wait too long.
Patient play at the back presented an opportunity to play Piroe in over the top on the right and he showed a good turn of pace to race clear only for his shot to be saved onto the post by Alsop. But Swansea’s Kilgetty born poacher was on hand to head home the rebound as Cullen finally begins to show the quality that has been promised for some time.
Seven goals in 769 Championship minutes along with 1 assist is a fantastic record for Cullen who has struggled out on loan from the club. Who knows how many he could get over a full season next time out?
Within a couple of minutes of that goal the impressive Philogene had brought things back to 2-1 as he drove past some weak Swansea challenges to slam past Fisher. The hosts sensed that a comeback was on although being completely honest their chances from then on were extremely limited.
Half time came with Martin making one substitution with Cundle making way for the steel of Jay Fulton before a later change seeing Cooper introduced for Ntcham.
Perhaps a combination of system change and substitutions did curtail Swansea’s attack in the second half although it should have been three as Cullen found Piroe only for him to round the goalkeeper but agonisingly the ball got away from his control to go out for a goal kick.
As Martin sensed the shop needed shutting up Joe Allen and Latibeaudiere were introduced for Walsh and Cullen as five at the back was deployed to fend off the rare moments of Cardiff attacks.
And it comfortably – to an extent – did so until substitute Colwill was played in down the right and on the stretch crossed to the far post for Kaba to nod in unopposed from six yards out. A real kick in the teeth.
But after that goal – the 83rd minute – it was Swansea who did all the attacking and after Grimes slammed the bar with a fierce long distance strike, Kipre was penalised right on the edge of the box deep into added on time.
Fulton or Paterson was earmarked to take the free kick which was initially blocked. The rebound fell straight to Fulton whose crisp strike slammed the bottom of the post but the rebound gleefully fell to BEN CABANGO for his second goal at the Cardiff City Stadium in his last two visits.
Oh what celebrations. What a feeling. It was euphoric, epic and probably the best way to win a game like this. A late winner is fantastic in any game, but away at Cardiff? There’s no better way to do it.
And so that was that. Four games against Cardiff City under Russell Martin and four wins. They did at least put up a fight today but the stats don’t lie.
111 years, two doubles, one quadruple. And can we play you every week?
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