Forwards Žan Vipotnik and Florian Bianchini scored goals either side of half time to seal victory for Williams’ side despite Dane Scarlett’s late strike for the U’s. A result that ends a run of seven games without a win.
After a goalless October for the Swans, relief would be plain to see as Vipotnik buried his chance on the quarter-half mark. A close-range finish from Ronald’s put in ending the Swans goal drought of 563 minutes of Championship football. A run stretching back to the back end of September.
Bianchini then doubled the visitors lead midway through the second half from Goncalo Franco’s well-timed through ball. A strike which would be the Frenchman’s first for the club.
Oxford would have chances with forward Ruben Rodrigues heading against the bar and full back Greg Leigh nodding narrowly wide.
Scarlett, however, would make no mistake to sweep home late blindsiding Lawrence Vigouroux whilst nutmegging Harry Darling in the process to hit the back of the net culminating to a nervy finish.
It would be the Swans though who would come out deserved winners to leave their boss delighted after the game with both his side’s performance, resilience and the collection of three points which puts Williams’ side back into the top half of the table.
“It was a very good afternoon’s work, and I was happy to see a couple of goals go in after this period we have been through,” said Williams following the game.
“I think we deserved to win. That’s really important for me.
“I think the group deserve a lot of credit because they did not look like a team that were lacking confidence, we were at it right from the kick-off.
“It was a proper team performance, everyone chipped in defensively, and with the ball in the build-up.
“I cannot criticise too much about that performance today, I would have liked us to keep a clean sheet because I think we deserved it for the most part, but the lads were excellent.
“We tried to establish control immediately and played some really good football. We thoroughly deserved the victory.
“We got the goals but without the guys at the back doing their jobs, helping us in the build-up to get there, or to win the ball back quickly, then we don’t travel up the pitch as we want to.
“Oxford threw absolutely everything at us and I think we could have dealt with that a bit better, but I still think we were valuable for the victory.
“We played football like how we want to play from the beginning. I don’t think we waited for a goal to start playing.
“The point is I am trying to convince the players that if we play in a certain way from the beginning of games and throughout games, goals will come.”
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
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