Swansea City closed the gap to Welsh rivals Cardiff City to four points leaving the Liberty City Stadium with their play-off ambitions remaining very much alive.

Despite the Swans having much more to play for, it was the visitors who attacked with more purpose and direction in the first half, was it not for winger Jacob Murphy having an off day in the final third, they could have closed the gap to their opponents to just two points. 

Manager Steve Cooper selected an array of attacking talent for the game and it was only when the second half commenced that his selections began to bear fruits. Goals from Rhian Brewster and Andre Ayew from the spot were sufficient for the Swans to resist a late comeback from Sheffield Wednesday

Swansea now have five games remaining, where they need to amass at least four more points than their South Wales rivals Cardiff in order to clinch the final playoff spot, their performance this afternoon at the very least suggests they have the mentality to fight until the very end. 

 

  • Story of the game

 

The midday kickoff on the South West coast of Wales was greeted with an overcast shadow, when the action commenced, the opening exchanges were similarly dull with both teams playing with an element of caution in the opening thirteen minutes. 

Following this, Sheffield Wednesday suddenly sprung into life, spurning a glorious opportunity as Kieran Lee curled in a wonderful cross to the far post to Murphy, who, despite being a mere seven yards from goal and unmarked, leaned back and side-footed the chance over on the right side of the box. 

It was a lucky escape for Cooper's men as they had criminally given a Wednesday attacker so much space inside their own box, more alarmingly for the former England under twenty manager was that they allowed this to become a recurring theme as Scottish central midfielder Barry Bannan began to routinely exploit the right flank, capitalising on the void created by makeshift left-wing-back Wayne Routledge

Offering precious little going forwards Swansea were lucky to reach half time level as Owls manager Garry Monk  was left to rue the wastefulness of Alessio Da Cruz and Murphy. 

If the hosts started the first half tediously they resumed the second with tenacity, an early free kick for Swansea meant Ghanaian winger Ayew was finally able to test the gloves of Sheffield goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith as the latter made hard work of a routine save as it was cleared for a corner. 

Swansea did not have to sustain the pressure for much longer as they were instantly rewarded for showing just a slight level of attacking endeavour, as a harmless looking Swansea cross from the right byline was expertly flicked on by Jay Fulton meeting the eager eyes of Brewster to smash home from close range past Wildsmith. 

The teen, on loan from Liverpool, had barely featured up until this point yet once a chance was presented to him he exhibited his predatory instincts to score his seventh league goal of the season. 

As Wednesday pressed for an equaliser, the hosts relished the space left behind, Cooper's tactical switch on the hour mark replacing Routledge with Mike van de Hoorn paid instant dividends as Jake Bidwell playing in his more natural left back position hung a cross over the face of goal and a tumble between Swans right back Conor Roberts and Adam Reach  resulted in a penalty for the home side. Ayew proceeded to maintain his one hundred percent record from the penalty spot this season, expertly dispatching his spot kick to his right hand side. 

The game started to open up as Bannan continued to orchestrate things for the visitors with substitute Atdhe Nuhiu missing a guilt edged chance. As the game entered into seven minutes of stoppage time Nuhiu scored second time of asking setting up a nervy finale as he overpowered Roberts at the the far post to head past Freddie Woodman.

A much improved second half display was seen out carefully by the hosts who have now reduced the distance between themselves and Cardiff to just four points, the only point of concern for Cooper will have been seeing Brewster forcibly being substituted off in the closing minutes with his arm in a makeshift sling. 

Defeat to former club leaves Monk with concerns ahead of potential points deduction

 

Although former Swansea manager Garry Monk may have left his old stomping ground feeling unfortunate to depart with nothing, he will have been well aware that if he harbours serious ambitions of remaining in the Championship if they are to be deducted twelve points for the alleged misconduct of the sale of Hillsborough his side will have to be much more proficient in front of goal. 

A series of great chances across the game were wasted by the likes of Murphy, Da Cruz and Nuhiu leaving Monk food for thought ahead of the incoming transfer window. The fact that Sheffield were at least creating the chances and on the whole look a level above the teams battling it out for relegation will offer Monk some comfort in these uncertain times.

There were other positives for the boss, who can rely on the much-improved Dominic Iorfa in the back three as well as the experienced Bannan who ran the show for the visitors and is a seasoned championship midfielder. At the other end of the pitch it was another unconvincing performance from goalkeeper Wildsmith, who will have to do plenty more to gain confidence from the fans. 

 

Man of the Match 

 

Barry Bannan - the midfielder was unfortunate to be on the losing side, even when his team fell behind the Scotsman was positive and creative sending the Owls forwards every time he received it.

 

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