Monk - Red Card Changed Game

Garry Monk acknowledged after the game that the first half red card for Wilfried Bony changed the game against Southampton after he watched his side beaten for the first time at the Liberty Stadium this season.

The Swans were probably the better side when Wilf recklessly went in for a poor tackle having not long been booked and left the referee with little option but to brandish a second yellow card and send him off for the first time in his Swansea career.

It forced Monk to change his game plan in the second half and he must have been equally frustrated at how deep his Swans sat in the second half and he was certainly urging them to get further up the pitch as Southampton became the better side and continually pushed forward for the goal that they eventually got ten minutes from the end of the game.

Speaking after the match, Monk said "The sending off changed the game

"We were so dominant in the first half.

"We played some great stuff and it looked like only a matter of time before we would score.

"Going down to ten men didn't help. We got to half-time and had to reassess the situation. The second half was always going to be difficult against a team who wants to have the ball as well.

"There were positives. We didn't deserve to lose the game. In the first half, we dominated in every aspect, and in the second half we controlled it without the ball.

"It's difficult to do, and It shows how good and clever our players are. We'll have a very successful season if we keep improving."

What to read next: