Cooper’s high fliers scaling new heights
STEVE COOPER’S dream start at Swansea continued as his team battered woeful Birmingham.
Former England youth boss Cooper has built on the good work done at the Liberty Stadium by Graham Potter last season and his team’s fluid passing was just too good for the Blues.
Three second-half goals in just 12 minutes from Kyle Naughton, Bersant Celina and Borja Baston sent Swansea second in the Championship and level on points with leaders Leeds, who they face on
Saturday.
The Welsh side are now 14 games unbeaten at home in all competitions, which is their best run since moving to the Liberty Stadium in 2005, and this season’s start is their best since 1978-79.
“It was our best performance of the season,” said head coach Cooper. “I know we came in at half-time 0-0, but I was happy with how we were playing.
“I just felt we needed to be more prepared to take risks at the top of the pitch and fortunately the players did that.
“I believed we should win every game we’ve played so far and that will continue, so I’m not surprised we’ve won certain games. I believe we can dominate and play what’s in front of us.”
Swansea had 77 per cent of the first-half possession but could not break through as Yan Dhanda, Ande Ayew and Borja all had efforts. Cooper tweaked things tactically at the break, bringing on Naughton for Jake Bidwell at left-back.
Borja forced a fine save from Lee Camp before a home goal finally arrived and, with it, the floodgates opened. Borja appealed for a penalty after being shoved in the area, but the ball fell to Naughton on the edge of the box, who fired home for a rare strike. Celina made it 2-0 after being played in by the impressive Mike van der Hoorn, who won possession from Fran Villalba high up the field. Borja sealed the win late on to mark his 27th birthday in style, as he converted a penalty after Dhanda was felled by Marc Roberts. He is now the Championship’s leading scorer with five.