A catalogue of second half errors by Swansea City on a sticky pitch at Peterborough signalled once again the inability the side have to play Russell Martin’s passing game throughout the ninety minutes. A game more important to the posh than the swans came alive after the swans went in one up at half time.
It was described as a fifty fifty shout at 7pm this evening as the rain hammered down at London Road. A late pitch inspection met with referee Oliver Langford’s approval and quite a few hundred swans fans breathed a sigh of relief. The pitch it has to be said held up well for the majority of the game and despite continued rain Swansea City’s passing game didn’t seem that affected initially.
The pitch would deteriorate as the game wore on.
The first half started pretty much as expected with the swans dictating play but failing to find that elusive pass that would give a clear cut chance. With chances at a premium it was Michael Obafemi who had the first sight of goal which was handled well by ex swans Keeper David Cornell. Jamie Paterson too had a snap shot blocked but the final pass of any swans attack was poor and didn’t do any justice to the well thought out build up. Paterson looked as lost as he did on Saturday at times, turning into trouble and failing to find his man. Conversely Hannes Wolf looked lively on the left hand side of the swans attack and linked well with Matt Grimes playing some nice balls in to Joel Piroe.
Swansea City go ahead a minute before half time
Flynn Downes had a lot of ball but failed to push forwards in to the space ahead of him choosing to pass the ball backwards or recycle for a safer option.However, those chances wouldn't materialise as for all the good play in front of seven and eight posh defenders it was hard work on a boggy and wet pitch. Joel Piroe turned and placed a lovely shot to Cornell’s left which he parried well but the real first half issue was the lack of pace and control of Cyrus Christie, often dependable he looked a yard short thought the first forty five.
Ricky Jones looked dangerous on boro’s left, his pace a concern but his accuracy in passing let him down. There was little else for the home some to be happy about with Ben Cabango strong when needed and polished on the ball as his side pushed forwards. His choice of boots may well have been questioned at half time as he slipped on several occasions when under pressure. Michael Obafemi looked dangerous whenever he got ahold of the ball, and it wasn’t until the forty fourth minute that he had a chance to take on the boro keeper. A slide rule pass from the quiet Paterson wasn’t well controlled by Obafemi drifting wide, but his finish across the keeper was superb in to the far corner of the net. That was the swans ninth shot at goal after an arduous and hard first half, and it has to be said it was well deserved.
Swansea celebrate Michael Obafemi’s second goal
The half was a tale of Swansea probing and Peterborough hoping, it has to be said they looked demoralised and unsure despite putting all their team behind the ball. It also has to be said the swans dominance of the majority of games they play seems to be going against them in games like this. The opposition are clearly unable to match Swansea’s patient possession and ability on the ball, so it’s a case of get everyone behind the ball and try and ride the game through. It worked for Blackpool on Saturday, but the posh are clearly going nowhere other than down on this first half performance.
The home crowd as well were very quiet and the healthy swans away support relaxed at half time happy, but will surely be saying it could and should have been two or three at least.
A second half turn around failed to help the posh
The second half started with a bang as the posh hustled their way back in to the game. A more inspired and energetic home side pushed on a good twenty yards up the pitch and reaped the rewards from a slow Swansea restart, and a catalogue of mistakes. The home sides endeavour soon paid off as Korey Smith failed to take control of the ball in midfield, a quick move forwards saw the home side burst in to life. The pacy Jones squared for Sammi Szomodics who took his chance well.
Within minutes the circus arrived in a timely manner with first the juggling Ben Cabango misplacing his pass, then Kyle Naughton slipping in the area giving the ball away to Jack Marriott. It was his first touch of the game after coming on as a sub fir Jones, and he put his side 2-1 up.
Despite their poor play Swansea should have re-taken the lead on the hour mark as Paterson threaded Wolf through on goal, but his shot was well smothered by Cornell. The swans remained shambolic defensively though, and it has to be said a better side would have brushed them away as Fulham did last week. The introduction of Olivier Ntcham made a difference, not least his strength on the ball, and Matt Grimes at last pushed forwards with some intent.
Jamie Paterson left his best moments to his eye for a pass with a lovely cross for Cyrus Christie to head against the post. The in form Obafemi skillfully placed a rebounding volley In to the net to make it 2-2. Despite the swans defensive issues the finishing this evening was exceptional by Swansea’s standards, and it would prove to be the difference for the third and winning goal.
Sub Ntcham fired a shot at goal deep in to injury time, a busy Wolf deftly touched it back, and there was Joel Piroe to snatch his seventeenth goal of the season. It was what the swans deserved no doubt, on another night they would have scored twice as many goals. Sadly Peterborough United must now be down but that won’t bother Russell Martin who despite the win left the touch line with a face like thunder.
More lessons will be learned from this performance, more so again regards the mistakes that littered the second half. However, it’s three points and an away win for only the fifth time this season for the swans. They move on to Saturday and a home game against Birmingham City at the swansea.com stadium before the international break.
Peterborough United :: Cornell; Mumba, Kent, Knight, Edwards, Ward, Fuchs, Norburn (C), Szmodics (Taylor 67), Jones (Marriott 63), Clarke-Harris (Taylor 77).
Subs not used: Blackmore, Beevers, Grant, Burrows.
Goals: Szomodics 51, Marriott 63
Yellow card:🟨 Knight 56
Swansea City: Fisher; Downes, Naughton, Cabango; Christie, Smith (Ntcham 67), Grimes (C), Wolf; Piroe, Paterson (Fulton 90+4); Obafemi (Joseph 80).
Subs not used: Hamer, Burns, Ogbeta, Congreve.
Goals: Obafemi 44 & 71, Piroe 90+2
Yellow cards: 🟨 Christie 48, Wolf 56, Cabango 77, Naughton 88, Piroe 90+6
Referee: Oliver Langford 6/10 played eight minutes injury time.