Swansea were short of their best in the first half as they played a second away game in four days against one of the Championship’s form sides.
But having gone in level at half-time, Swansea edged in front through Zan Vipotnik’s penalty after the Championship’s top scorer was brought down in the box by Norwich defender Jose Cordiba.
The Swans were on course for a battling away victory until Norwich, who had seen one appeal for a spot-kick turned down when defender Cameron Burgess challenged forward Mohamed Toure moments earlier, were awarded a contentious penalty seven minutes from time.
This time, Burgess headed Ali Ahmed’s cross clear, but Lawrence Vigouroux was penalised for colliding with Mathias Kvistgaarden after he came off his line in an attempt to deal with the ball into his box.
“What can I say? I cannot control the decision. In my opinion, of course it’s not a penalty, but it is what it is,” said Swansea head coach Matos in his post-match conference.
“It’s body-to-body contact, a player going in one direction and a player going in the other. Then Cam [Burgess] clears the ball, so what can I say?
“It’s not my job to decide that. So it’s more about focus on the performance and that’s what we will do.
“It’s disappointing, but overall I am proud of the players for the desire and focus they showed out there in what was a very tough game.”
Having made five changes to his side after coming through a tough test at Loftus Road four days previously, Matos could not fault his whole squad for the effort put in against a side still fighting for a top-six placing.
“I’m so proud of the team and the staff and all the effort that we are putting in at this moment of the season,” continued the Swans boss.
“We are still showing character, professionalism, and mentality, and that’s what we wanted. It shows the steps that we are doing in terms of coaching them.
“The team was well organised, pressing and getting behind the ball at the right times, and also passing it well. We grew into the game with confidence, and in the second half we started much better.
“It was a great effort considering all the travelling we have had to do recently. It was also a great effort from the supporters and now we want to reward them by finishing with a good performance in our final game at home next weekend.”
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
