In a vital three points for the Swans, first-half goals from Joe Allen and Jamie Paterson in a 45-minute period of sumptuous attacking football proved decisive in a game of two halves.
Luke Williams’ side, however, would have to dig deep to produce a resolute second-half display to hold on after Sami Szmodics had pulled one back for the visitors midway through the second half.
In a morale-boosting win, the victory would be Williams’ first in front of the home faithful since taking over in January and would be crucial in the fight against relegation with all the chasing pack picking up points to keep the gap at four points between the bottom three teams.
The hosts came into the game looking to build on their excellent 2-1 victory against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last weekend. Two goals from Brazilian Ronald would be the difference as the Swans would produce arguably their best team performance of the season.
Looking for back-to-back victories for the first time since the beginning of October, Wiliams would name an unchanged team from their trip to the north-east but would have wing-back Josh Key amongst the substitutes bench having been out since the 2-1 victory over Preston in December with a muscular injury.
Visitors Blackburn would be looking for their first victory under new manager John Eustace at the fifth attempt in the Championship. A spirited showing in their FA Cup penalty shootout loss to Newcastle in midweek would show signs of optimism for the Lancashire-based side.
However, a run of just one win in the last 13 has dropped Rovers, much like the Swans, precariously close to the relegation zone, with a four-point buffer the difference at the start of play. Eustace would make one change bringing in left-wing back Harry Pickering back into his starting X1.
It would be the home side who would start the stronger of the two sides and would take an early lead after quick thinking from goalkeeper Carl Rushworth. The on-loan Brighton keeper would spot Przemyslaw Placheta on the left-hand side who would gather the pass and drive down the flank before beating his marker and crossing to the Allen to head home past Aynsley Pears.
The Swans would look slick in possession, looking the more threatening of the two sides and would double their advantage midway through the first-half. Paterson latching on to Matt Grimes through ball before finding half a yard on his marker before rifling a low drive past Pears from just inside the penalty area.
Blackburn would be at their most threatening on the counter attack and would test Rushworth for the first time. The league’s top scorer Szmodics found on the edge of the penalty area but would only be able to get away a weak effort straight into the hands of the Swans number one, whilst strike partner Tyrhys Dolan placed in an almost identical situation would find a similar outcome.
Placheta would be a constant menace to the Rovers backline with the Poles pace finding both space for himself and his teammates. A neat move linking with Paterson earning a corner, before Ben Cabango’s header from the set-piece would be desperately cleared by the visitors from inside the six-yard box with the Swans threatening to extend their lead.
Blackburn would improve after the break, but the Swans would be resolute in their defense. Wales international Cabango producing a splendid last-ditch tackle to deny Sam Gallagher from pulling the trigger when well placed. An intervention arguably saving his team from conceding a goal.
The visitors though would pull a goal back midway through the second-half. Szmodics using his predatory skills to get between two defenders to prod home John Buckley’s free-kick from the right-hand side.
With renewed belief, Blackburn would push for the equaliser with both Buckley and Szmodics coming close in a nervy period.
The Swans though would hold on and see out the remainder of the game and collect a vital three points in their quest to move up the Championship table, whilst the visitors poor run would continue.
Swansea City X1
Carl Rushworth, Josh Tymon, Kyle Naughton, Ben Cabango, Nathan Wood, Joe Allen (Jay Fulton 65), Matt Grimes (captain), Przemyslaw Placheta (Jerry Yates 65), Jamie Paterson (Jamal Lowe 70), Ronald (Ollie Cooper 81), Liam Cullen (Charlie Patino 81).
Blackburn Rovers X1
Aynsley Pears, Dominic Hyam (captain), Kyle McFadzean (Arnor Sigurdsson 45), Scott Wharton, Callum Brittain, John Buckley (Zak Gilsenan 90), Andrew Moran (Yasin Ayari 45), Harry Pickering (Ben Chrisene 66), Tyrhys Dolan (Dylan Markanday 66), Sam Gallagher, Sammie Szmodics.
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
