It was never going to be easy, we all knew that before the game it wasn’t going to be one of the most difficult tasks of the season. Keeping a Fulham side at bay whilst still managing to play the style of football the swans are becoming known for. Unfortunately more deciding factors kicked in to totally destroy any chances Swansea City had to take anything from the game.

Swans fans were left furious but split in their opinion on Ryan Manning’s sending off just before the ‘referee’ blew for half time last night at the swansea.com stadium. Up to that point Swansea had met with the challenge, and in some reports were the more likely side to take something from the game. The passing was good, attempts at goal were made and it was Swansea who were pressing on the Fulham midfield and defence.

It was working a treat, we had a real game of football to watch.

The referee Jarred Gillett, the first official to manage a premier league game from outside the country was responsible for the match’s most crucial decision. Known for his harshness and lack of time taken when balancing his decision making he quickly sent Ryan Manning off after a poor challenge on the whining Harry Wilson. It was a yellow card for sure, but the explanation given to Russell Martin at half time by the referee that Manning’s challenge was high and reckless does leave some hope the card could be rescinded.

Because the red card wasn’t any of those things.

Another added ingredient and it’s someone swans fans will know well is Andy Woolmer who according to Russell Martin allowed himself to be constantly ‘swarmed’ around by Fulham’s technical staff. Woolmer has history, a lot of history with Swansea City. Steve Cooper started last season Woolmer was not fit to officiate his and Swansea City’s games. When he was appointed for the home game against Sheffield Wednesday and it all became clear. Having been less than professional at an earlier game at QPR Cooper made an official complaint to the EFL that he wasn’t fit or able to officiate due to his ‘personal issues’ with Cooper and the swans. The officials display during that game was clearly biased and confirmed Cooper’s concerns.

Although Cooper was fined a minimal sum and Woolmer kept away from officiating on the pitch at swans games it was inevitable he would still bear that grudge Cooper made us all aware of. In fact Cooper was so direct and made such statements on Woolmer’s, character, ability, competence, personal bias and lack of professionalism you would have thought a civil court would be the best way of testing the accusations.

That never happened, and we can only ask why ?

Irrespective of opinions from those who saw the game last night, and the decision from Gillet it was made without reflection or consultation with his official on the line. His reasoning will be the main cause for the appeal, and a football match was in the words of Russell Martin ‘ruined’ Martin did admit the two goals conceded at the start of the second half were totally down to his swans side.

It took only 14 seconds in the second half for Marco Silva's side to take the lead as they seized on sloppy Swansea defending, with Andy Fisher's overhit pass for Matt Grimes allowing Wilson to set up Mitrovic for a simple finish. Fulham extended their lead as Cabango bundled into his own net before Mitrovic showed his creative side with a dinked cross for Wilson, whose header across goal allowed substitute Decordova-Reid to convert from close range.

Piroe's headed goal from a Jamie Paterson cross was never going to be anything more than academic, albeit the swans first set piece goal of the season. And so it proved as Williams struck on the rebound to put Fulham 4-1 up. The Wales full-back then scored his second and Fulham's fifth with a fabulous dipping strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Swansea head coach Russell Martin said after the game : "The red card is the most important factor of the night. It's totally changed the game, I thought for 40 minutes we were fantastic. We were in control, we were dominant. The first 15 minutes was probably as well as we have started all season. What the referee isn't to blame for is the start of the second half which was really poor. We follow that up with conceding another goal quickly. The mistake is on me. It shouldn't end up with Fish [Andy Fisher] from a kick-off."

Fulham head coach Marco Silva was delighted despite the assistance from elesewhere : "It was a tough game but like we expected. We knew before the match it would be different, the way they play and the problems they create us, the way they build their play. We had a plan but in the first 15 minutes we did it wrong. They beat the pressure easily. After that we started to balance it more and control the game. After the red card, the game changed. It was key for us to score in the first minute of the second half. They take many risks in those situations and we pressed them and forced the mistake, then it was a matter of time until we scored more. It wasn't our best performance but I have to congratulate the players."

It should be noted both coaches felt the Manning tackle wasn’t a red card, as do we here at Swansea Independent, so we will wait and see the outcome of the appeal which lets be honest is quite a gamble. In any event Ryan Manning is out for the next four games as it is his second sending off of the season. If confirmed Manning misses the South Wales derby on April 2nd.

Swansea City: Andy Fisher; Korey Smith, Ben Cabango, Kyle Naughton, Ryan Manning; Olivier Ntcham (Ryan Bennett 46), Flynn Downes (Jay Fulton 46), Matt Grimes (captain), Jamie Paterson; Joel Piroe, Michael Obafemi (Kyle Joseph 60).

Unused Substitutes: Ben Hamer, Joel Latibeaudiere, Finley Burns, Cameron Congreve.

Fulham: Marek Rodak; Harrison Reed, Neeskens Kebano (Bobby Decordova-Reid 68), Harry Wilson, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Tim Ream (captain), Tosin Aderabioyo, Neco Williams, Jean Michael Seri (Tom Cairney 76), Fabio Carvalho (Ivan Cavaleiro 68), Antonee Robinson.

Unused Substitutes: Paulo Gazzaniga. Kenny Tete, Michael Hector, Nathaniel Chalobah.

Attendance: 17,012

Referee Gillet 4/10.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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