Lackluster Swans fall to Coventry defeat

In a game lacking in quality, first-half strikes from Coventry frontmen Ellis Simms and Brandon Thomas-Asante would be enough to give the Sky Blues their first win in south Wales for 44 years.

The result, a sobering fifth reverse in the last six games leaves the Swans and under pressure head coach Luke Williams seven points off the relegation zone.

In the first match since the sale of former captain Matt Grimes to the Sky Blues, the Swans came into the match looking to end a winless six-game run in the calendar year.

The manner of the collapse in the second half of the 5-1 defeat against Norwich at Carrow Road last weekend would be the most concerning factor for Swans boss Williams.

On a forgettable afternoon, despite a positive first-half performance, the Swans would go into the break behind. A Liam Cullen strike would level the scores, but after conceding almost immediately after the re-start, Williams’ side would fade and fall to a crushing defeat.

Looking to bounce back to winning ways an inform Coventry side four points and five positions ahead in 12th place would be the visitors- buoyed by three wins on the bounce under new manager Frank Lampard.

Led by new skipper Ben Cabango, Williams made two changes to the side that lost in East Anglia with Cyrus Christie and Jay Fulton coming in for the outgoing Grimes and Myles Peart-Harris in a change of shape.

After a slow start where neither side could get control of the early proceedings, it would be the Sky Blues who would strike first. Former Swans striking target Simms heading a flicked effort past Vigoureux into the back of the net.

Thomas-Asante almost doubled the visitor’s lead just after the half-hour mark prodding Victor Torp’s cross-come-shot at goal, but would see Vigoureux in fine form to make a reaction save.

The Swans would find their way into the game as the half would come near to a conclusion. Josh Tymon producing a rare moment of quality to swing a ball into the penalty area onto the head of Cullen. The Wales striker’s effort though would lack the power and placement to trouble visiting goalkeeper Oliver Dovin who would palm the effort wide of the post.

It would be Coventry, however, who would break the Swans momentum scoring moments later to double their lead. Thomas-Asante showing great vision to produce a sublime chip over Vigouroux to catch the Swans number one out with the ball dropping into the back of the net.

The second half would start much the same as Coventry would look the more threatening of the two sides to affect the scoreboard. Simms would draw a fine low save from Vigouroux with a snap-shot whilst strike partner Thomas-Asante would continue to be a menace in and around the Swansea penalty area.

Williams brought on midfielder Ollie Cooper returning from a long-term lay-off to add energy into the midfield and after the Welsh international had won a corner Cullen would come close to halving the deficit. A short corner finding the forward but the ball would deflect high and wide from close range.

The Swans would press in the final quarter of the game but would lack a cutting edge to trouble the visitors who in the end would be comfortable in their victory.

Swansea City lineup

Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Tymon, Josh Key (Ollie Cooper 59), Hannes Delcroix, Ben Cabango (captain), Cyrus Christie, Gonçalo Franco, Jay Fulton (Myles Peart-Harris 77), Ronald, Liam Cullen (Eom Ji-Sung 77), Florian Bianchini (Žan Vipotnik 59).

Coventry City lineup

Oliver Dovin, Joel Latibeadiere, Bobby Thomas, Liam Kitching, Milan van Ewijk, Victor Torp, Jamie Allen (captain), Jake Bidwell, Brandon Thomas-Asante (Josh Eccles 83), Jack Rudoni (Tatsuihiro Sakamoto 79), Ellis Simms.

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]