Swansea City won the game of the weekend against a well drilled but dour Bristol City side in the first game of the Championship weekend LIVE on Sky TV. Russell Martin set up his depleted swans side on a counter attack initiative after a strong robins start, however it counted for nothing as the swans snatched the winning goal from Joel Piroe.

There were four changes for the Swans as Ethan Laird, Joel Piroe, Jamie Paterson and Liam Cullen came into the side. Flynn Downes and BenCabango were ruled out after positive Covid-19 tests as we reported this afternoon, while Jamal Lowe and Yan Dhanda dropped to the bench. Korey Smith, Kyle Naughton, Liam Walsh, Connor Roberts and Ryan Bennett were absent through injury to add to the dilemma for Martin. Even with seven players missing and a very much changed squad to last season the swans showed commitment and were not short of courage in Avon last night.

At last Russell Martin saw the positives in his squad selection moving Jamal Lowe to the bench and starting Joel Piroe with support from Liam Cullen. The robins started positively raiding down Swansea City’s left hand side for the first ten minutes. We were again treated to the compulsory Steven Benda mistake, which nearly led to Bristol City opening up the game one nil. Fortunately his lengthy misplaced pass to Matt Grimes, cut out by Alex Scott was expertly saved by the German. This seemed to be the pattern for the opening fifteen minutes with the robins attempting to infiltrate a well marshalled swans defence. Three decent chances came and went before the swans clever passing started to created their own chances. Looking accomplished and settled the swans began to dominate possession and the key areas of the pitch. Jake Bidwell especially proved the swans will have to think long and hard if they want to let him go over the coming ten days.

The robins did have the best of the first exchanges but It was a rare chance for the visitors when Paterson was put through but failed to connect. The home side were soon back with a positive attitude. Strong running from Cameron Pring — buoyed by his performance at Reading in the week who cleverly picked out Alex Scott to his right, and the youngster’s low drive was saved well by Benda. Piroe would force a corner and he was denied by a close-range save from Dan Bentley, while in reply Weimann curled an effort over the crossbar. It was honours even as the half wore on.

Bristol City have not won a home game for twelve matches and it showed, Swansea’s more intricate passing movement, and quicker movement off the ball began to wear the home side down. Roared on by 2,300 travelling swans fans the away side started to penetrate the robins defence with Jake Bidwell latching on to numerous through balls from Grimes and Paterson - but his delivery could have been better. Busy referee Geoff Eltringham booked 10 players during the game - six from Swansea - in what was a heated contest at times. Fulton again being headstrong in a similar challenge to the one which had him sent off at Wembley In last seasons Championship play off final.

But it was Joel Piroe who contributed the golden finish after wriggling free from a midfield melee. Working space across the robins box he fired a shot which hit Bentley’s post. The rebound caught a static Bristol City defence ball watching as he expertly stroked home a shot which nestled in the robins net. For pure class and anticipation it was a match winning goal.

Speaking post match swans manager Martin said “ I thought Joel was outstanding. I thought he took his goal brilliantly and he looked a real threat all night," he added. "That wasn’t just because of what he did in possession, but he made a lot of runs for the team to give other people space and enabled other people to get the ball. He was a real threat and he worked so hard out of possession, he was absolutely finished at the end when we took him off. "He put in a brilliant shift, he earned his opportunity to start tonight and he has taken it with both hands." You would have thought Martin would have been delighted but you could also see his point. It wasn’t a dominating performance, but it was very thorough and clearly his under strength side played solidly, and at times ruthlessly to earn the points.

Bristol City almost replied on 28 minutes when Pring's pass set up teenager Alex Scott, whose low shot was well saved by Benda. Piroe might have had two more goals before the break. First he shot wide, having got behind the home defence, and then had a close-range shot brilliantly saved by Dan Bentley. An even first half ended with another spell of home pressure. The hosts also began the second period on the front foot, Andreas Weimann firing over.

Stand out swans right wing back was Ethan Laird who tormented the robins defence in the second half. His quick thinking and ability to cut inside his marker earned the swans numerous second half free kicks. Although they came to nothing he showed glimpses of what is to come to the noisy swans faithful. Even if it took a brave rearguard action from the ever improving Ryan Manning and the superb Brandon Cooper the swans didn’t look phased during the second half. In fact the defending was accomplished and well drilled. It was rare that the robins challenged the swans foal and when they did Steven Benda was there to reassure the swans all was well. Grimes stung the fingers of Bristol City keeper Bentley towards the end and poor decision making from Jamal Lowe when on the break ensured a nail bring finish.

Weimann then had the ball in the net but he was correctly adjudged to be offside by four yards from Antoine Semenyo’s shot. That was it from Bristol City, they didn’t look at all threatening and did little to concern the swans defence. Even the introduction of Wells late on, a player who has haunted the swans over recent meetings did nothing to give the home side any encouragement. It was a welcome three points for Russell Martin, but his post match thoughts do tell us there is much more to come from his Swansea City side. Admitting he has his eye in a few more players before the transfer window ends he said “ Yes, the transfer window is hotting up, we do have a few players we are talking to but it has to be right for the club financially, and the squad, but it’s looking good”

Post match Bristol City manager said "It's disappointing not to get something out of the game because of how we approached it and the number of chances we created. "We've had a really bad run of results at home which is something people read into, but the two games here this season we've played with real positive intent despite getting just one point. "I'm not worried, I would be if we looked nervy like last year (season), it's just a case of us not taking our chances. "It was one of those games where you can scratch your head, but I know our players applied themselves well. "I trust our players, let's be clear, and there have been lots of opinions on our squad but I know to improve on it will cost lots of money and we're not in a position to do that. "I'm really pleased with the squad, and I'm not ruling out business, but I thought we went about the game in the right way but well played to Swansea. "Whenever one mistake is made it's important you don't make two, that's something we're continuing to work at. "As I say, compared to last season, we didn't know what sort of performance we'd get when they took to the field, but I know them now."

Bristol City Bentley (C); Simpson (King 85), Kalas, Atkinson, Dasilva; Massengo, James; Pring (Wells 71), Weimann, Scott (Semenyo 60); Martin.

Subs not used: O'Leary, Baker, Bakinson, Palmer.

🟨 Yellow cards: Simpson 36, Weimann 59, Atkinson 76, Semenyo 84

Swansea City Benda; Latibeaudiere, Manning, B Cooper; Laird, Fulton, *Grimes (C), Bidwell; Paterson; **Piroe (Lowe 81), Cullen (Whittaker 71).

Subs not used: Hamer, Joseph, Dhanda, Mcfayden, Williams.

** Goal: Piroe 19
* Grimes, Swansea Independent chap of the match.

🟨 Yellow cards: Fulton 17, Piroe 35, Manning 47, Bidwell 57, Latibeaudiere 67, Grimes 90

Referee: Geoff Eltringham 7/10.

Attendance: 22,319
2,390 away.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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