Both goals would come in a five minute period at the end of the first-half of a bruising contest expected from two side’s battling at the wrong end of the table.
New Zealand international Marko Stamenic opened the scoring for Swansea heading home his first for the club since his summer move from Nottingham Forest powerfully finishing Tymon’s free kick.
Star show Tymon then sent the home support into raptures with an exquisite volley just before the break to what in effort all but sealed the contest.
The Swans rode their luck at times defensively with Oxford’s miserable afternoon compounded with Mark Harris and substitute Will Lankshear spawned their best chances as their goal shy attack miss-fired.
The Swans though would be good value for the three points as they would hold firm in the second half and now move three points clear of the bottom three and above Oxford after Portsmouth’s lunchtime kick-off was postponed earlier in the day.
Looking to bounce back from the disappointing 3-2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion last weekend, 21st-placed Swansea would look to improve on a poor recent home record, which has seen just one win in SA1 in eight outings.
New head coach Vitor Matos’ tenure saw improvements in the defeat in the Midlands, with the Swans racing into a two-goal lead within 10 minutes. Ultimately, the tale of the tape will show two defeats in two for the Portuguese since taking over from Alan Sheehan a fortnight ago.
The Swans boss would make two changes from the Hawthorns defeat, bringing in Ronald for Zeidane Inoussa, who drops to the bench after suffering a hand injury. Swedish midfielder Melker Widell would get a rare start, whilst there was a return to the matchday squad for on-loan Brighton midfielder Malick Yalcouye, having not featured since the home defeat to Queens Park Rangers at the end of October.
Five points from nine have taken Oxford out of the relegation zone and one place above the Swans. A first win in six against play-off chasing Ipswich would be impressive, with former Swan Przemyslaw Placheta earning Gary Rowett’s side a crucial three points in the battle for survival.
The U’s would unsurprisingly name the same X1 as they would look to put daylight between themselves and the bottom three.
After a nervy opening from both side’s It would be the home side who would see the games first chance. Eom’s free-kick finding Swans captain Cabango at the back post, but his header would tamely sail over.
The Swans would settle and see a majority of the possession. A marauding run forward from Tymon seeing the former Stoke player cuts the ball back for Galbraith outside of the box.
The Northern Irishman producing a moment of magic to send an in-swinging cross into the penalty area finding Vipotnik, whose header would land inches wide.
Oxford, however, would not be without chances. Mark Harris guilty of heading Stanley Mills right-wing cross wide, when well placed, whilst Ciaron Brown would pull a smart save from Lawrence Vigouroux in the Swansea goal.
Without penetration in the final third the Swans would struggle to break their oppositions defensive positioning in the final third. Franco’s long-range effort sailing over the bar.
Then would come the game’s first moment of quality. Tymon producing a sumptuous out-swinging delivery into the penalty area from a set piece, picking out Stamenic to powerfully head past Jamie Cumming in the Oxford goal. The New Zealand international’s first goal for the Swans giving the home side a slender advantage.
But just like buses, a second goal arrived as the half-time interval approached with the Swans doubling their lead. Oxford’s failure to clear their lines seeing a clearance fall 25-yards to Tymon. The former Stoke player showing superb technical ability to arrow an astonishing volley in the top corner of the U’s goal past a helpless Cumming.
The second half would have plenty of endeavour, but also produce nervy moments as the Swans would be sloppy on the ball at times leaving the door ajar to their opposition. Brian de Keersmaeker winning possession back in midfield before crossing to find substitute Will Lankshear at the back post. The U’s forward though with food though after a head in hands moment nodding into the side netting when it would have been easier to score.
After a spate of substitutions from either side the game became disjointed with the Swans teetering the idea of searching for a third, whilst the changes would fail to improve the visitors lack of creativity going forward.
Liam Cullen fresh off the bench going near for the Swans from range after Adam Idah’s clever back heel had set up the Wales forward.
That though would be as close as the game would see no further change to the scoreboard with the Swans holding firm for a rare clean sheet and a vital three points.
Swansea City XI
Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Tymon, Ethan Galbraith (Jay Fulton 90), Ben Cabango (captain), Cameron Burgess, Melker Widell (Kaelan Casey 72), Marko Stamenic, Goncalo Franco (Liam Cullen 78), Ronald, Eom Ji-Sung (Adam Idah 78), Zan Vipotnik (Zeidane Inoussa 72).
Oxford United XI
Jamie Cumming, Sam Long, Jack Currie (Greig Leigh 79, Michal Helik (captain), Ciaron Brown, Will Vaulks, Brian De Keersmaecker, Stanley Mills (Hidde ter Avest 46), Filip Krastev (Nik Prelec 46) , Luke Harris (Ole Romenlj 61), Mark Harris (Will Lankshear 46).
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
