The first half couldn’t have started any better for the swans with Jake Bidwell getting on the end of an exquisite first minute move which saw Ethan Laird crossing for the defender to slide in for the opener. From there on the half was dominated by Swansea City with the posh only getting in on goal on two occasions.
The visitors first effort was wonderfully saved by Ben Hamer, the second a wild shot from a clear offside position. That aside, the dominance from Russell Martin’s side was such that the game at times was reduced to walking pace. Frustrating for some may be but with games coming up, and Peterborough showing absolutely nothing to counter the swans it was to be expected.
Jamie Paterson chipped in with another assist for Joel Piroe on the quarter hour with a slide rule pass, and the Dutchman calmly placed his shot in to the visitors net. It was already becoming an humiliating day for Darren Ferguson’s side. On that note his pre match comments highlighted on here this morning, and yesterday that his expectations of the swans being like MK Dons were far from correct. We did warn him.
The posh were being outclassed.
Peterborough United didn’t touch the ball before the swans scored goal number one
Shots a plenty came in on the posh goal with ex swans player David Cornell in goal looking lost at times. He remained stationary as Piroe smashed home his ninth goal of the season, absolutely stranded time and time again as the swans pressed on, first Piroe then Ntcham. Cornell was open season. The game did become slightly pedestrian, but as the half came to an end another slide rule pass from Joel Piroe, this time for Olivier Ntcham, saw the Frenchman level a shot at pace for number three.
It was sublime.
Comment has to be made as well with the ease that Korey Smith played his role as a defensive minded / sweeper, twisting and turning on two occasions brilliantly to clear danger. His contribution at the back with Ryan Bennett and Kyle Naughton was as important as that of Piroe and Paterson. It was a complete performance, it couldn’t be any better, well, the second half was to supply us with further evidence that this league is no cake walk.
Pick that one out Dai, 2-0 Swansea
That is if you are Peterborough United. Swansea City started the final half with very much a ‘preserve what you have’ attitude. The posh showed no determination to close down or compete against the swans, they looked forlorn, almost embarrassed that they were being taken apart by a precise passing side like Swansea. Talk amongst certain Peterborough supporters of the swans being a mediocre mid table side smacked of ignorance as to the way this Swansea side has progressed in the last two months. The swans just didn’t need to push on, the desire to win was already fed, the hunger pains were gone, and the one touch passing was a celebration of this new found confidence we now see at Swansea City.
Michael Obafemi came on and had two golden opportunities to score, Grimes a scuffed a shot as well. Bidwell was no longer looking to burst forwards with the game won, there was no panic. Ethan Laird was subbed for Morgan Whittaker, he had a shot at goal which was deflected. We also saw Flynn Downes back after injury. Obafemi continued making runs which were not spotted, may be those that cite his game as not always conducive to Russell Martin’s tactics have a very slight point.
The reluctance of the swans to push on for more goals will frustrate some, but with two far harder games away coming up in six days it makes some sense. That is if you believe the fact that there are too many games these days. Maybe that’s the same for officials, with a few minutes to go an appalling decision by the assistant referee let in the posh for a golden opportunity. They wasted it. Other teams such as the ones the swans face this week won’t make such a hash of such chances.
Joel Piroe continued his magnificent form today
It was a reflection of the swans lethargy with the game won.
Overall it was a superb result, it should have been so much more, the swans were running on half gas, the posh just happy that they hadn’t been embarrassed any more than they had. It was men against boys, but these games don’t come along that often, and they won’t come along in the next six days that’s for sure.
Swansea City: Hamer; Bennett, Naughton, Manning; Laird (Whittaker 78), Smith, Grimes (C), Bidwell; Paterson, Ntcham (Downes 73); Piroe (Obafemi 62).
Subs not used: Benda, Cabango, Latibeaudiere, Cullen.
Goals: Bidwell 2, Piroe 13, Ntcham 45+2
Yellow cards: Manning 63, Downes 82
Peterborough United: Cornell; Burrows (Butler 45), Beevers (C), Edwards; Thompson, Kanu (Ward 59), Taylor, Norburn; Grant (Clarke-Harris 54), Szmodics, Dembele.
Subs not used: Blackmore, Kent, Knight, Coventry.
Referee: Matthew Donohue 6/10
Attendance: 16,701