Swansea City sailed in to sixth place with a 2-1 win away at Watford, and the fears of a hornet onslaught never materialised throughout a bizarre game. With seventeen minutes extra time, which mystified almost everyone in the stadium the swans once again score a late away day winner to take the points.

Swans manager Russell Martin praised his side post match and the very decent travelling support on the night. "I loved so much about the performance tonight, especially the courage to play. I don't think Steven Benda touched the ball until twenty seven minutes. They were outstanding, the players, so I felt really disappointed that we went 1-0 down. The way they bounced back, with the courage and intensity they showed for each other even in some scary moments. But when we are asking them to play and to be brave there will be moments like that and we have to accept that. There were a couple of big moments from Steven and a couple of brilliant chances for us as well. But to come here and have more shots and to play the way they did after such a big effort on the weekend, I'm so grateful first and foremost, and so proud. The fans certainly played their part, they were incredible. This run of results now is the reward for the belief they've carried on showing when we were having a sticky moment and the hard work they put in when we had a tough start to the season."

It all felt very calm throughout the game bar a few Kyle Naughton moments the swans looked well drilled and very confident on the ball. The opening twenty minutes set the standard for the game. The home side Watford did have some momentum in both halves but really didn’t dominate proceedings as expected. Even with Joel Piroe and Michael Obafemi firing blacks despite Piroe missing a sitter in the second half other players did the hard miles. Olivier Ntcham ran relentlessly in the first half, obviously inspired by his recent return to form he again took a pot shot to score another long range beauty.

Ben Cabango headed home the winner eight minutes in to those weird seventeen and Russell Martin was delighted with his all round performance. "I'm so pleased for him. Andy Parslow ( Restart coach ) has a lot of conversations with him. Ben should have had a goal or two before now," said Martin. I don't want to put any pressure on him but he's one of the best centre-halves at this level, in my opinion, with what he does, how far he's come and how much he's improved. He really has developed so much. He's a warrior who has started to develop other traits. He can really play football, he's really brave and if he can add some goals to it, it'll be even better for us."

The swans are most certainly looking a lot better in set piece routines and restarts to the game from throw ins to corners, it’s an area that was needed and some of the work is there for all to see. Ryan Manning also took the plaudits for his continuous running and set piece delivery but many pointed to the heroic save by Steven Benda in injury time to prevent a second Watford goal as the main reason for the win. It was never backs against the wall, the swans looked controlled and their passing was exquisite at times. Jay Fulton also did the hard graft in midfield and with a more positive Matt Grimes, going forwards with the ball the win was more than deserved.

Swansea City take on Sunderland this Saturday at the swansea.com stadium nicely placed in the play off spots and with seemingly plenty more to come. Giddy heights for Swansea City but it feels like this just could be the start of a very special time for Russell Martin and the incredible Swansea City support.

Watford: Bachmann; Gaspar (Morris 61), Kabasele (C), Sierralta (Pollock 79), Kamara; Choudhury, Kayembe; Sarr, Asprilla (Louza 56), Sema; Davis (Bayo 79).

Subs not used: Okoye, Gosling, Hungbo.

Goal: Sarr 33

Yellow card: Louza

Swansea City: Benda; Wood, Naughton (Darling 90+10), Cabango; Sorinola (Latibeaudiere 78), Fulton, Grimes (C), Manning; Piroe, Ntcham (O Cooper 70); Obafemi.

Subs not used: Fisher, Stevens, Cundle, Oko-Flex.

Goals: Ntcham 52, Cabango 90+8

Yellow cards: Grimes 67, Fulton 90+16, Wood 90+18 Darling 90+16

Referee: Tim Robinson 7/10. Decent and strong when required.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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