All square as Swans held to stalemate against Coventry

The stalemate extended the Swans unbeaten run to three games, but with both sides evenly matched a point was a fair result with both teams lacking fluidity in SA1.

Swans head-coach Russell Martin had named an unchanged side from the eleven that taken all three points in thew thrilling 3-2 South Wales derby win over Cardiff City on Saturday. In a thrilling contest Ben Cabango’s stoppage time winner sending the Jack Army into euphoria after the match looked to be heading for a share of the spoils. 

The Swans, however, were not to be denied despite losing a two-goal lead courtesy of strikes from Joel Piroe and Liam Cullen, completing an unprecedented second South Wales double in a row.

Back on home soil Martin called for the Swans to carry on their upturn in form. With a ten-point gap between the 15th placed Swans and the bottom three, it was a case of looking up to finish the season strongly and improve on last season’s similar position.

Mark Robins’ Coventry side had started the day four points off the play-off placings in eighth position and would be a stern test for the Swans having shared the spoils a thrilling 3-3 draw in the reverse fixture.

In form striker Viktor Gyökeres, the league’s second top marksman and scorer of one of the goals at the Coventry Building Society Arena, instrumental in their progress up the table.

The Swedish ex-Swans loanee’s impact plain to see with 19 strikes and seven assists to his name, a contribution of more than half of his sides 47 league goals, a threat the Swans knew they would have to nullify if they were to get anything from the match.

Robins, looking to bounce back from a surprise 4-0 thumping at the hands of Stoke City last weekend, made three changes to the side that saw a nine-game unbeaten run come to an end.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Josh Wilson-Esbrand came in to add pace to the flacks, whilst midfielder Jamie Allen, a scorer in the reverse fixture, was fit to return from a long-term calf injury.

With a rousing atmosphere at the Swansea.com stadium it was the Swans who started the brightest enjoying the lion’s share of possession but could not find an opening through a stubborn Coventry defense.

The visitors, one of the leading counter attacking sides in the division happy to allow the home side to dominate looking to break with the outlet of pacey wide men Wilson-Esbrand and Norton-Cuffy.

After a frustrating first quarter It would be the visitors who would fashion the first opening. Callum Doyle picking up a loose ball from a corner to fire low at the Swans goal. Andy Fisher in the Swansea goal aware of the danger to make a fine save with his legs.

The Swans main threat would come down the left-hand side through the delivery of Ryan Manning. The Scot whipping in a neat ball from a set piece first meeting the head of Harry Darling and then prodded toward goal by Cabango. 

Unsighted, visiting goalkeeper Ben Wilson reacting well to react to get a hand to send the ball around the post.

With more fluidity in their play Martin’s side started to force the impetus. Matt Grimes picking out Olivier Ntcham 25-yards out to drive a curling effort over the cross bar.

The Swans would nearly be punished moments later from their own undoing and high visiting press. Manning, casual at the back finding his pass intercepted by Hamer breaking from the Coventry midfield. The attacker though unable to take advantage of the opportunity firing straight at a relived Fisher.

As the volume of the crowd started to rise the Swans then came close once more, Piroe fashioning an effort from the edge of the area but rising over Wilson’s crossbar.

The second half would see the Swans come flying out of the traps and almost take an immediate lead with two good chances.

A neat ball from the ever-marauding Manning finding Cundle on the edge of the penalty area to volley an effort at the Coventry goal first time to draw a save from Wilson.

The rebound parrying for Darling, the defender’s effort though lacking composure, blasting over the cross bar from an acute angle.

Piroe then creating a chance for himself with a neat touch finding room in the penalty area but was unable to divert an effort toward goal when well placed, dragging an effort wide of the post.

The Swans would be in debt to Fisher though as Coventry would look to punish the Swans on the break. Brazilian Hamer once more finding himself all alone in the penalty area to shoot from an acute angle but would be unable to beat the Swansea stopper blocking the low drive.

After the frantic start the half though would continue much like the first with both sides evenly matched with the game looking like one goal may be enough to win the contest.

Martin would look to the bench turning to Paterson and Whittaker to provide added fire power in search of a winner with the game lacking fluidity.

The Swans looked the more likely to gain the winner as the clock ran down. Ntcham shooting powerfully towards the top corner from the edge of the area, but Wilson would be in fine form tipping his effort over the crossbar.

The scores though would remain goalless as both sides settled for a point a piece.

Swansea City X1

Andy Fisher, Ryan Manning, Nathan Wood, Ben Cabango, Harry Darling, Matt Grimes (captain), Luke Cundle (Jay Fulton 68), Liam Walsh (Morgan Whittaker 68), Olivier Ntcham (Ollie Cooper 89), Liam Cullen (Jamie Paterson 58), Joel Piroe.

Coventry City X1

Ben Wilson, Luke McNally, Kyle McFadzean (captain), Callum Doyle,Brooke Norton-Cuffy (Fankaty Dabo 70), Jamie Allen (Matty Godden 45), Gustavo Hamer, Ben Sheaf, Josh Eccles (Ryan Howley 90), Josh Wilson-Esbrand (Jake Bidwell 70), Viktor Gyökeres.

(Lead image: Swansea City Football Club)