Josh Tymon’s second-half strike was sufficient to present Swansea a 1-0 Championship victory over Bristol Metropolis in a full-blooded Anglo-Welsh battle at Ashton Gate.
The winner got here after 55 minutes when Robins goalkeeper Max O’Leary dived to avoid wasting a Goncalo Franco shot however might solely parry the ball into the trail of Tymon, who fired the rebound into an unguarded web.
The hosts have been denied by two very good first-half saves from Lawrence Vigouroux as their try and enter the play-off locations was additionally thwarted by some poor ending and dedicated Swansea defending.
With Joe Williams and Ross McCrory suspended, Bristol Metropolis boss Liam Manning made three modifications to the 1-1 draw at Oxford. In got here Max Hen and Haydon Roberts, in addition to Anis Mehmeti for George Earthy.
Swansea gave a debut to deadline day signing Lewis O’Brien in midfield as one in all 4 modifications, which noticed Kyle Naughton, Eom Ji-Sung and Zan Vipotnik additionally introduced in.
Bristol Metropolis had the higher of an open first half, forcing two moments of brilliance from Vigouroux. On eight minutes, the tall goalkeeper dived to his proper to palm over Jason Knight’s agency header from a Hen nook.
The twenty second minute noticed Vigouroux make an equally tremendous cease, this time diving low to his left to fingertip Luke McNally’s volley round a submit.
Ten minutes later, Swansea created their first opening, however Ronald might solely shoot tamely at O’Leary from Naughton’s via ball.
Rob Dickie powered a header over from a Knight cross because the hosts continued to threaten. However one other exact Naughton go simply earlier than the break noticed Vipotnik miscue his try and carry the ball over O’Leary, placing a weak effort straight into the goalkeeper’s arms.
Liam Cullen despatched a 20-yard free-kick over the bar as Swansea squandered the final likelihood of an brisk 45 minutes during which each side lacked a leading edge.
Tymon’s purpose rewarded Swansea’s finest spell of the sport initially of the second half. Manning responded by sending on striker Sinclair Armstrong and midfielder Earthy for Nahki Wells and Mehmeti.
The highly effective Armstrong made an on the spot influence and compelled a nook from which Dickie headed over.
However Swansea ought to have gone two up after 68 minutes when the spectacular O’Brien fed an unmarked Eom contained in the field and he shot straight at O’Leary from 12 yards.
The Robins went straight again on the assault just for Armstrong to clear the crossbar. Then Manning’s determination to ship on an additional striker virtually paid off with 14 minutes remaining when Sam Bell’s low drive got here again off a submit.
Swansea needed to defend for his or her lives within the closing phases, O’Brien making a superb block from Hen’s shot, whereas one other Hen effort was deflected for a nook because the guests held out.
The managers
Bristol Metropolis’s Liam Manning:
“There were so many positives in the performance. I am as frustrated as our supporters must be because everything was there apart from the result.
“Their goalkeeper has made two excellent saves and we saved asking questions of Swansea proper to the ultimate whistle.
“In the end we just lacked that bit of composure and quality in front of goal. But the progress we have made this season was again there for all to see. The level of consistency of performance is so much better and I believe if you maintain that the rewards will come.
“We paid for a brief interval initially of the second half once we dipped in sure areas. However other than that I’ve no complaints concerning the efforts of the gamers.
“There is a quick chance to bounce back at home to Stoke City on Wednesday and we have shown ourselves capable of overcoming setbacks this season.”
Swansea’s Luke Williams:
“It was a hard-fought win. We are in something of a transitional period now, learning to get along without Matt Grimes, who was so important to us, and when that is the case the main thing is to play with total commitment.
“The gamers have been sturdy and resilient sufficient to deal with a number of strain from an excellent aspect, but in addition courageous sufficient to create some actually good possibilities.
“I see Bristol City as genuine play-off contenders. Liam Manning is a brilliant coach and they should back him long-term. This could turn out to be a very important result for us.”
