Sloppy Swans fall to Bristol City defeat 

In an entertaining contest Liam Cullen’s neat first half finish gave the home side the lead at the half-time, but much like against Bournemouth in midweek the Swans lead would disappear soon after the break with Mark Sykes and Sam Bell punishing poor Swans defending to give the visitors the upper hand and ultimately the three points. 

Having come into the match without a victory in their opening four league fixtures, the Swans would be in desperate need of a confidence boosting victory before the international break. That though did not come leaving Swans head-coach Michael Duff with much to ponder before the first South Wales derby of the season at the Cardiff City Stadium in two weeks time. 

The Northern Irishman chose to recall Jerry Yates, Harrison Ashby, Charlie Patino and Nathan Wood to his starting eleven from the side that performed admirably in the 3-2 Carabao Cup loss to Bournemouth in midweek.  

The Cherries quality and depth within their side on the night was just enough to edge the tie with a late stoppage-time winner breaking home fans hearts despite Jamie Patterson’s 80^th-minute equaliser looking like forcing penalties on the night.  

It was not to be as Ryan Christie smashed home deep in stoppage-time. Focus then moving back to league action as Duff searched for the Swans and his first Championship victory of the season. 

Today’s visitors Bristol City brought about a different proposition. A well-organised and drilled outfit under wiley manager Nigel Pearson, the Robins would arrive in South Wales with one of the league’s best defensive records. With only four goals conceded in as many games, Pearson’s side would be a tough nut to crack. 

The problem for the Robins has come at the other end of the pitch with the Gloucestershire-based club having only found the net on three occasions. The departure of chief creator Alex Scott to Bournemouth and the continued injury problems of star forward Andreas Weimann hindering the creativity in the Bristol attack.  

Charged with leading the line would be 32-year-old former Bradford and Huddersfield Town striker Nahki Wells, a player Duff would know all about from his time as a player at Burnley. 

Wells would start for the Robins in a side showing five changes from their midweek 1-0 cup exit to Norwich City with captain Matty James and star summer signing Jason Knight amongst the returnees. 

With the home support in full voice, it would be the Swans that had the best of the opening period playing a slick passing game searching for an opening. 

The visitors, however, would be the side who would have the first chance. Knight’s searching ball finding Sam Bell whose chipped pass to Sykes would see an acrobatic effort find the back of the net only to be ruled out for offside. An early warning to the Swans though who had switched off at the back. 

It would be the home side though who would take an early lead following a mix-up in the Bristol City defense. Patino alert to the indecision winning the ball 25-yards out before taking a touch to play through the darting run of Cullen. The Wales forward timing his run to perfection before slotting past visiting goalkeeper Max O’Leary to rapturous applause from the home faithful. 

The Robins would respond strongly with a spell of sustained pressure within the Swansea half looking to play directly into the channels but would find the Swans defense organised and stubborn in resolve. 

However, Pearson’s side should have been level as the half came to the midpoint. A quick counter attack led by Knight resulting in Wells shooting straight at Swansea goalkeeper Carl Rushworth when well placed on the penalty spot from the former Derby midfielders cut back. 

The chance seemed to galvanise the visitors with Rushworth called into action minutes later saving smartly from Bell, before Wells pick-pocked Wood deep in the Swansea half before firing a wild effort over the crossbar. 

The Robins once again were cursing their luck with the ball once more finding its way into the Swansea net from an offside position. This time Bell turning and swiveling to finish smartly from Cameron Pring’s searching ball. The Bristol academy product was though adjudged to be marginally off. 

In an entertaining half, the Swans would be next to create a chance Josh Key’s industrious run on the left-hand side failed to be dealt with allowing the former Exeter wing back to pick out Patino arriving late on the edge of the penalty area. The on-loan Arsenal midfielder only able to drill his low effort wide of the Bristol goal as the Swans took a single goal lead into the break. 

That wouldn’t last long as the visitors were back on level terms three minutes into the second half. The Robins midfield breaking quickly with Joe Williams picking out Sykes on the right-hand side of the penalty area. The Irish midfielder, still with plenty to do passing through the Swansea defense far too easily before firing past a helpless Rushworth from close range. 

Cullen nearly restored the Swans lead from the restart with strike partner Yates’ cut-back finding the forward on the penalty spot unmarked. The Swans academy product, however, only managing to shoot straight at O’Leary. 

The Robins with their tails up would force the Swans to defend deeper and deeper within their own half in a testing period of the game and inevitably found a second goal. Bell firing in left-footed from close range unmarked at the back post after Sykes’ low right-wing cross was not dealt with by the Swans defense after a quick Bristol break. 

Duff sent on Joe Allen and Patterson to try to gain a foothold on the game, but it would be the visitors who would continue to dominate territory. 

The Swans would not be out of the contest and thought they had regained parity hitting the woodwork from a corner. Substitute Harry Darling heading into the path of Ben Cabango whose flicked effort deceived O’Leary but not the base of the Bristol post with the ball agonisingly going out of play. 

The Swans probed for an equalisier in the latter stages but would lack a cutting edge to their play within the visitors defending solidly in two rigid banks of four behind the ball.  

Much will now have to be mulled upon by head-coach Duff before his side’s next league fixture in two-week’s time against bitter rivals Cardiff City in the South Wales derby with the Swans lying perilously close to the Championship relegation zone. 

Swansea City X1 

Carl Rushworth, Josh Key, Harrison Ashby (Josh Ginnelly 45), Ben Cabango, Nathan Wood, Kyle Naughton (Harry Darling 64), Matt Grimes (captain), Charlie Patino (Joe Allen 59), Ollie Cooper, Liam Cullen (Jamie Patterson 59), Jerry Yates (Mykola Kuharevich 64).   

Bristol City X1 

Max O’Leary, Cameron Pring, Kai Naismith, Mark Sykes (Rob Dickie 83), Matty James (captain), Joe Williams, Jason Knight, Taylor Gardner-Hickman (George Tanner 68), Zak Vyner, Nahki Wells (Harry Cornick 78), Sam Bell. 

(Lead Image: Bristol City FC)