Against a Stoke side with one of the best defensive records in the league, Swansea showcased a high-tempo, vibrant display to overcome a stubborn Potters rearguard.
Championship top scorer Zan Vipotnik’s 17th league goal of the season and a late Liam Cullen long-range effort eventually saw off Mark Robins side to extend their impressive unbeaten home league record to ten matches.
But the context of game in effect was thrown on its head after the Potters would be reduced to 10 men for the last hour of the contest after Wales winger Sorba Thomas’ first-half dismissal for shoving Swans midfielder Goncalo Franco to the ground.
Prior to the red card, both sides would have chances at either end, with the visitors seeing a goal disallowed for offside and a fine save from home stopper Lawrence Vigouroux to keep the scores level.
The tenacity and resolve shown by the Swans, though, is what earned them the points, according to the Portuguese.
“It was a really good performance,” said Matos post-match.
“We started the game really aggressively and with intensity, good speed on the ball, positioning, and counter-press.
“The red card gave us an advantage but then it is about having the right structure, mindset and discipline, which we did.
“The win was always about how to play with an extra player. I think that’s quite important.
“Credit to the players for the effort they put in trying to break the lines and push them back.
“The goal gave us a little bit of tranquillity, and we kept the momentum for 70 minutes.
“Stoke reacted, they are a good team and really organised, and the subs they brought on gave them freshness and momentum, but we stayed calm to get the game back under control.”
Matos hailed the effect that forward Liam Cullen brought to the team after coming on and enjoyed the “beautiful” finish from the Wales man.
Cullen’s second goal in three games after coming of the substitutes bench to net the equaliser against Preston ten days previous.
“The bench was really important and when you have Liam you can always score, which he did with a wonderful goal,” continued the Swans boss.
“From the outside, it’s really beautiful because you see the ball going and it’s just the right amount of speed, just the right amount of power.
“It didn’t even need to roll. It’s just straight there. So, it was a wonderful strike.
“He’s a really good option. Of course, he’s not always happy that he needs to come off the bench to score but he has a top mentality.
“He is a winner, he wants to compete, play, score, assist and be influential. He is one of the most important players in the squad, I’m just lucky to have him in my dressing room and I like him a lot.
“He’s always frustrated because he always wants to make an impact, and he wants to make an impact if he has five minutes or 95.
“That’s the mindset you need to have and I just love that, it’s the mentality we want in the squad because it’s a long, long season with short time between games.”
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
