Connor Roberts out jumped Samuel Ameobi to clinch a valuable win for his side in the lunchtime kick off at the city ground. The win see’s the swans jump to fourth place in the EFL championship level on points with Watford.
It was Forest who started the better side with crisp passing and excellent running off the ball and Taylor went close early on with keeper Freddie Woodman stranded. And the pattern continued but a resolute swans defence stood firm with Ryan Bennett influentially marshalling Kyle Naughton and Marc Guehi either side of him. Bennett hardly put a foot wrong all afternoon. Another early incident which saw Colback being subbed for Arter after a tasty challenge in possession of the ball. The swans gradually made their way in to the game and pressed further forwards restricting Forest’s early tactics. On twenty minutes Ayew was lucky to get away with a poor tackle as a chance was squandered by the swans. Roberts then started to cause the Forest defence problems, running off his marker on several occasions unfortunately for him his final pass didn’t find any attacking swans shirts. Bidwell on the other side linked well with Jamal Lowe and Ayew backing them up across the centre of the park. Fans feedback in the first half was Matt Grimes looked off the pace and Korey Smith - who did later on get in to the game initially was slow and ponderous.
Ryan Bennett resolute in defence today
Forest were never out of the half but it was Swansea City who went in one up. Just prior to that Knockaert cut in from the left, leaving Guehi in his wake, but Woodman save a hard shot with his legs. Then with the half coming to an end Ayew again became involved cleverly crossing for a gazelle like leap from Roberts, towering over Ameobi of all players to bravely score. It was a tremendous leap and effort from Roberts.
Roberts celebrates at the final whistle after scoring a superbly taken goal for Swansea at Forest
Second half the swans looked more dominant but still vulnerable to Forest break aways with Knockaert influential, but gradually becoming more frustrated eventually earning himself a yellow card. It was understandable, and it seems Chris Hughton’s tactics were lost on some of his side. The crisp play of the first half was lost and long punted balls forwards returned, a tactic that wont please the Forest manager. Although Jamal Lowe had what could be described as a poor game his constant running worried the Forest defence. Lacking pace he would often find himself tackled or losing possession. He was eventually replaced by Routledge. Smith came more in to the game for the swans linking with a Roberts and then Routledge but poor distribution from Grimes hampered any chance of a second goal for the swans. All in all Cooper will obviously be very pleased with the defending but maybe not so happy with his midfield performances from Fulton, Grimes and Smith, and for Wednesdays game away at Middlesbrough could well make a few changes.
Seven inches, that's what separates Sammy Ameobi and Connor Roberts
As a result of this hard earned win Steve Cooper's team have jumped up to fourth place in the Championship table, while Forest stay deep in trouble in 21st position after a third straight loss.
Hard working Jamal Lowe frustrated again in his efforts at Forest
Nottingham Forest: Brice Samba, Cyrus Christie, Tobias Figueiredo, Yuri Ribeiro, Jack Colback (captain), Sammy Ameobi, Miguel Guerrero, Ryan Yates, Scott McKenna, Anthony Knockaert, Lyle Taylor.
Substitutes: Jordan Smith, Loic Mbe Soh, Carl Jenkinson, Alex Mighten, Cafu, Joe Lolley, Harry Arter, Nicolas Ioannou, Will Swan.
Swansea City: Freddie Woodman; Kyle Naughton, Ryan Bennett, Marc Guehi; Connor Roberts, Korey Smith, Jay Fulton, Matt Grimes (captain), Jake Bidwell; Andre Ayew, Jamal Lowe.
Substitutes: Steven Benda, Ryan Manning, Jordon Garrick, Ben Cabango, Kasey Palmer, Liam Cullen, Wayne Routledge, Viktor Gyokeres, Yan Dhanda.
Referee: Tony Harrington
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