Sparkling Saints sink Swans on Martin’s return 

A sumptuous first-half performance from the visitors with clinical goals from Che Adams, Will Smallbone and ex-Swan Flynn Downes would be the difference despite Jamie Paterson momentarily putting the home side back in the game at 2-0 five minutes before half-time. 

The Swans would have several chances in the second half hitting the woodwork twice and pulled a string of saves from Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, but could not find a way through past a Southampton side who move into second place in the Championship table. 

The Swans came into the match against the high-flying Saints in decent form with just one defeat in their last six games. That came on Boxing Day where the Saints pulled all the punches in a 5-0 thumping at St Mary’s. 

Much has changed since and with new manager Luke Williams at the helm the optimism is back in SA1 that the club can start to climb up the Championship standings. 

Last weekend’s last-gasp equaliser by Wales midfielder Jordan James at St Andrews denied Williams a first league victory in the 2-2 against Birmingham. There would, however, be plenty of positives as goals from Jamal Lowe and Harry Darling would earn a hard-fought point in the Midlands. 

Coming into his home league bow, Williams would be without the quartet of Josh Key, Ben Cabango, Liam Walsh and Sam Parker in his selection options. The Londoner though was able to call upon Newcastle loanee Harrison Ashby for the first time with the right-wing back fit again after being out since late November with a hamstring injury. 

Visitors Southampton’s form has been imperious in recent weeks scoring 16 goals in their last five games in all competitions. Under Martin, the Saints coming into the game looking to break a 20-game club record of league matches unbeaten. 

Lying in third place in the table, three points off the automatic positions, Martin’s side would move into the top two placings with a victory in South Wales in the day’s early kick-off. 

Looking for the three points Martin kept faith with the lineup that that thumped strugglers Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 on the South Coast last weekend with the Championship’s leading contributor Adam Armstrong once again leading the line in a side awash with Premier League experience. 

On an overcast crisp afternoon, it would be the visitors who would have the better of the opening exchanges. Ryan Fraser scorer of two of the goals in St Mary’s turning creator floating a left-wing cross into the Swans penalty area finding Adams. The former Birmingham striker’s volley though off target but a warning sign to the Swans who had started slowly. 

Adams would though make no mistake in the sixth minute opening the scoring with a tap-in after Carl Rushworth had parried Stuart Armstrong’s powerful effort from close range. Fraser once again the instigator from the left. 

With the Saints in the ascendency, Martin’s side could have been two to the good minutes later. Adams’ cute reverse pass sending Adam Armstrong through, Rushworth would be alert to spread his body to make a smart double save from the 14-goal striker as the Swans defense would be found out of position once more. 

The Saints would though double their lead midway through the first-half through midfielder Smallbone. The Republic of Ireland midfielder arriving late between two defenders to slot home Adam Armstrong’s low cross from close range. 

The Swans would struggle to gain a foothold but would have their first sight at goal just before the half-hour mark. Josh Tymon gathering a Paterson lay-off on the edge of the Southampton box before striking an audacious effort with the outside of his boot which would just rise over Bazunu’s crossbar. 

The Swans though after soaking up excessive pressure managed to pull a goal back minutes before the break through Paterson after a superb counter attacking piece of play from the returning Ashby.  

The wing-back would burst down the right-hand side before sending an early cross into the Southampton penalty area nearly finding Jamal Lowe. First to the loose ball would be Liam Cullen to clip back into the six-yard box where Paterson would nod past a helpless Bazunu. 

It would only be a blimp for the Saints who would regain their two-goal lead on the stroke of half-time. Downes given too much space on the edge on the penalty area to be able to strike an effort on goal. The former Swans midfielder’s effort would be pin-point and with power to leave a helpless Rushworth to be only able to pick the ball out of the corner of his net for a third time. 

In a bright start to the second-half, the Swans nearly found themselves back in the game. Paterson found by Tymon on the left, before cutting inside onto his right foot before shooting just wide of the far post. 

The flow of the game was never going to match the frantic pace of the first period and the Swans would see more of the ball. Fraser having the pick of the visitor’s chances firing over the crossbar after arriving late at the back post. 

The Swans, however, would come the closest to getting back into the match with three golden opportunities twice hitting the woodwork in a short space of time. 

The first chance coming to substitute Charlie Patino. The on-loan Arsenal midfielder played though but would only be able to tamely drag a Tymon pull back wide after neat play on the left-hand side from Paterson. 

Then the playmaker would turn supplier to find fellow replacement Jerry Yates. The striker coming agonisingly close stretching to poke an effort against the post. 

Paterson would be the next to be denied by the woodwork. This time Bazunu pulling off a great save to push the former Coventry attacker’s effort on to the post. 

The Saints keeper would be in tremendous form to then stop a Yannick Bolasie header from close range as the Swans pilled on the pressure, but it would not be the home side’s day as they could not breach the Irishman’s goal further. 

Williams will take great heart out of the second-half showing, but moving on will know they lost the game in the first half an hour to a combination of sumptuous play from the hosts. 

Swansea City X1 

Carl Rushworth, Josh Tymon, Harrison Ashby (Yannick Bolasie 66), Harry Darling, Bashir Humphries, Nathan Wood, Jay Fulton (Jay Fulton 74), Matt Grimes (Captain), Liam Cullen (Charlie Patino 66), Jamie Paterson, Jamal Lowe (Jerry Yates 66). 

Southampton X1 

Gavin Bazunu, Kyle Walker-Peters, Ryan Manning, Jan Bednarek, Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Jack Stephens 59), Will Smallbone (Shea Charles 86), Flynn Downes, Stuart Armstrong (Joe Rothwell 74), Adam Armstrong (Captain), Che Adams (Sekou Mara 74), Ryan Fraser. 

[Lead image: Swansea City]