Manning strike enough to see off stubborn Huddersfield

A second half deflected effort from wing-back Ryan Manning proving to be enough to beat a resolute Huddersfield side who would prove a tough nut to crack.

The win extends the Swans fine unbeaten run to five games and moves Russell Martin’s side to 13^th place in the EFL Championship table as they look to finish the season on a high.

Swans head-coach Martin had spoken about the need to rotate his squad in his pre-match conference and named an eleven with one change from the team that beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 on Easter Monday.

Dutch forward Joel Piroe was the star of the show on that day scoring a fine double to take his personal tally to 16 for the season. He led the line once more with Liam Cullen returning to the starting eleven for Joe Alen.

Veteran manager Neil Warnock’s Huddersfield side has seen somewhat of an upturn in results in recent weeks as the Terriers fight for Championship survival.

Coming into the game in 19^th position in the standings, two points outside of the relegation zone, the wily manager’s side would be a tough challenge having picked up 11 points out of the last 15 available against sides in an around the play-off mix. 

Key to the revival has been the form of makeshift wing-back Matthew Pearson, whose four goals in his last three games have been crucial to his side’s rival. 

A brace came in the Terrier’s last fixture where a two-goal lead was surrendered in the 2-2 draw with Blackburn at the John Smith’s Stadium on Monday afternoon, but it is goals that have been the biggest problem for Huddersfield this season with the Yorkshire sides 41 only worsened by two other teams in the table.

Warnock continued to be without a long list of regulars for their trip to South Wales through various injuries. Regular goalkeeper Lee Nicholls and Championship stalwart Anthony Knockhaert amongst a host of names on the treatment table.

Experienced Czech international goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík continued to deputise having joined the club in January in a side that saw three changes. Rarmani Edmunds-Green coming in at left-wing back, whilst there were starts for Brahima Diarra and Jaheim Headley in the Terrier’s attack. 

After a stop-started opening few minutes, it was the Swans who would create the first opportunity. Wing-back Joel Latideaudiere finding space on the right-hand side to send a teasing low cross across the face of the Huddersfield goal. Piroe, looking to continue his fine scoring form was denied by Helik’s last-ditch block, clearing the danger.

With the visitors happy to play methodically looking to exploit the Swans on the counter attack, the home side started to enjoy the lion’s share of possession. Ntcham finding room on the left to run at Huddersfield defender Tom Lees, his cross dangerous across the six-yard box, but unable to find a Swansea shirt.

The visitors would be methodological in approach and would force the game’s first corner and their first sight at goal. On form ex-Accrington Stanley defender Pearson though unable to control his volley from the edge of the box with his shot rising over the Swans crossbar.

The visitors would look dangerous on set pieces and would go the nearest as the half met its midpoint, Helik connecting with Lees header back across goal from a Huddersfield corner to head inches wide of home goalkeeper Andy Fisher’s far post.

The Swans would find their own opening minutes later, rattling the visiting woodwork. Ryan Manning, recycling his own free kick to whip a curling cross from the left-hand side. Nathan Wood, forward for the set piece, connecting with the cross to glance a header past visiting goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík, but against the base of the Huddersfield post. 

There would be half chances at either end with both attacker Jaheim Headley for the visitors and Olivier Ntcham striking powerful shots from distance over the bar from range. 

The half, however, would lack a cutting edge at times and the necessary fluidity to create significant openings. Jamie Patterson producing a rare moment of quality to get the better of his marker, finding Piroe on the edge of the six-yard box. The pass slightly behind the Dutchman flicked wide of the far post.

The second period saw the introduction of Wales midfielder Ollie Cooper to add creativity into the midfield. The academy product involved immediately showing neat feat to link with Jay Fulton, almost latching onto the Scots return ball, but denied by Vaclík intercepting the pass to mop up the danger.

With the crowd upping the octane in volume sensing an opening, it would be Paterson who would be the next to try his luck from range as the Swans looked to build a spell of pressure. The former Coventry striker’s effort lacking power and direction with Vaclik comfortably saving low to his left.

Much like the first half, a combination of stoppages would disrupt the flow of the game. Huddersfield would be the happier of the two sides playing with eleven men behind the ball.

The Swans looked to the bench once more, Morgan Whittaker and Luke Cundle introduced to find a way through the Terrier’s stubborn backline. The former sending a curling effort wide of the post from the edge of the penalty area after playing a give-and-go with Piroe, as the home side pushed the visitors further and further back into their own half.

The Swans would make a well-deserved breakthrough to take the lead in a slightly fortuitous manner. Matt Grimes picking out the run of Manning with the wing-back striking a pot shot from 20-yards out from the right-hand side. The effort, taking a wicked deflection of the back of a Huddersfield defender wrong footing Vaclík and sailing into the top corner of the goal.

With impetus on their side, Martin’s side came close to doubling their advantage. Latibeaudiere venturing forward on the right before striking a venomous effort inches wide of the post to the vocal satisfaction of the home support.

Oozing confidence, Manning nearly grabbed his second of the afternoon cleverly looking to substitute Whittaker’s low cross into the corner of the net. The Republic of Ireland international’s effort, however, would lack the contact to trouble Vaclík.

The Swans would see out the remaining minutes as Huddersfield launched a belated effort at a comeback. Martin’s men would though take all three points and move up a place to 13^th in the Championship table. 

Swansea City X1

Andy Fisher, Ryan Manning, Joel Latibeaudiere, Nathan Wood, Ben Cabango, Matt Grimes (captain), Jay Fulton (Luke Cundle 58), Liam Cullen (Harry Darling 79), Olivier Ntcham (Ollie Cooper 45), Jamie Paterson (Morgan Whittaker 58), Joel Piroe (Joe Allen 85).

Huddersfield Town X1

Tomáš Vaclík, Matthew Pearson, Jonathan Hogg (captain), David Kasmu (Josh Koroma 73), Jack Rudoni, Rarmani Edmunds-Green (Martyn Waghorn 83), Danny Ward, Tom Lees, Brahima Diarra (Tyreece Simpson 73), Michal Helik, Jaheim Headley (Josh Ruffels 73).

(Lead image: Athena Pictures/Getty Images)