In a game of few chances, the Slovenian forward’s strike proved to be the difference to earn all three points with a superbly taken half-volley, a rare moment of quality in a highly-contested contest between two evenly matched teams.
The visitors had their moments and will feel hard done by to leave South Wales, pointless having seen Sinclair Armstrong and Emil Rees both hit the woodwork, whilst home goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux make a brace of neat saves, but a lack of clinical edge would be their undoing as Swansea reduced the gap between themselves and the top six to three points before the afternoon’s 3 pm kick-offs.
Having tasted defeat on the road against Derby County last time out, the Swans returned to home action, looking to carry on a fine seven-match unbeaten run in the league against a Bristol City side a point off the play-off mix.
The Swans, lying in 16th place in the table, would look to reduce the gap on the top six with maximum points against a Robins side that won the reverse fixture back in October, sitting five points and seven places above them in ninth spot.
The Portuguese head coach, post-match, would call for his side to “squeeze everything” out of the remaining part of their season as the Swans face a tough run of fixtures against many of the promotion contenders.
Victory against the Robins would put Swansea’s outside promotion hopes back into the thinking; however, defeat would see Matos’ side looking back over their shoulder at the wrong end of the table.
Having picked up his tenth booking of the season at Derby, the Swans boss would be without midfielder Marko Stamenic for the clash. Jay Fulton would replace the New Zealand international, as one of three changes to the side, with on-loan Brentford winger Gustavo Nunes and Swede Melker Widell both handed recalls.
Meanwhile, coming into the game just a point off the play-off placings, Bristol City’s form has stuttered with just three wins in their last nine games. However, a battling comeback point against Wrexham last time out demonstrated their solid squad mentality, which has shown why the Robins have flirted around the promotion picture for the majority of the season.
Robins boss Gerhard Struber would make five changes from the 2-2 draw with Wrexham with captain Jason Knight returning to the side which would show a change of shape to a more offensive 3-4-3 formation.
There would also be starts for defender Noah Eile, whilst there would be a complete change up top with Delano Burgzorg and on-loan West Ham attacker George Earthy charged with supply for recalled striker Armstrong.
After physical opening where both sides would struggle to get a foothold, it would be the visitors who see the games first opening. Armstrong weaving free on the left before testing Vigouroux in the Swansea goal from an acute angle.
In a game played in poor conditions, the Swans would work hard and compete toe-to-toe physically with the visitors. After a rare opening, Matos’ side would get their reward on the half-hour mark with the industrious Nunes sending an inviting ball into the back post, finding Goncalo Franco. The midfielder’s nod down falling perfectly for the Championship’s top scorer, Vipotnik power home a crisp half-volley past Radek Vikek for his sixth goal in the last four games in SA1.
Now in the ascendancy the Swans would look to push the tempo of the match up a gear, but would be met by a steely, well-organised Robins side looking to swiftly form a breakaway given the opportunity. Slovenian midfielder Tomi Horvat would be nearly the beneficiary from the re-start having been played into the danger zone by Armstrong, before driving a low effort first-time inches wide of the post.
The Swans would come close with an Eom-Ji Sung free kick falling inches wide of the post, but the half would end with just a solitary goal between the two sides.
Bristol would improve after the break and would offer more in the final third. Powerful forward Armstrong continuing to cause a nuisance of himself with a lung-busting run through the heart of the Swans defense before feeding strike partner Burgzong. The Dutchman’s low drive producing a smart save from Vigouroux to turn the effort around the post.
The Robins continued to push and revitalised with a spate of substitutions, and would be a whisker away from an equaliser. Danish forward Emil Riis immediately making an impact off the bench to curl a stunning right-footed effort from all of 30-yards against the frame of the Swansea goal with Vigouroux beaten.
Swansea substitute Liam Cullen would have a chance to seal proceedings when well-placed in stoppage time, firing straight at Vitek from fellow replacement Leo Walta’s cutback, but it wouldn’t matter as the Swans would hold out for a crucial three points to move within three points of the top six.
Swansea City XI
Lawrence Vigouroux, Ethan Galbraith (Joel Ward 79), Josh Tymon, Ben Cabango (captain), Cameron Burgess, Jay Fulton, Goncalo Franco (Leo Walta 79), Melker Widell, Gustavo Nunes (Ronald 53), Eom Ji-Sung, Zan Vipotnic (Liam Cullen 79).
Bristol City XI
Radek Vitek, George Tanner, Neto Borges, Noah Eile, Rob Atkinson, Jason Knight (captain), Adam Randell (Max Bird 56), Delano Burgzorg, Tomi Horvat (Scott Twine 56), Sinclair Armstrong (Sam Bell 80), George Earthy (Mark Sykes 65).
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
