A HIGH FOR LOWE... BUT A LOW FOR RALLS ON DERBY DAY
SWANSEA City took the bragging rights in the South Wales derby once again after a comfortable 2-0 win at Cardiff City Stadium. It was a derby unlike any other given the lack of fans, but there were nevertheless plenty of narratives to emerge.
Here’s a quick look at who shone and who had a day to forget.
WINNERS JAMAL LOWE
LET’S start with the obvious, shall we?
There’s no better way to write yourself into the folklore of a club than by scoring on derby day.
Whatever happens from here on in, Jamal Lowe’s name will always provoke a wry smile from members of the Jack Army.
His first wasn’t the most polished of finishes, but his second really was a moment of true quality, the sort that opponents Cardiff were sorely lacking.
Not that the number nine’s performance was any surprise to Steve Cooper, who said after the game: “We don’t have any doubts with Jamal.
“Someone’s asked questions about him, but he’s been a great addition to the team. All he wants to do is work hard. He’s made us a better team this year and he’s done it today by scoring a couple of goals.”
STEVE COOPER
COOPER may well come from Cardiff City country, but there’s little question over his dedication to the Swans and their superb fans, whom he paid tribute to after this victory.
The three at the back were rocksolid for much of the game, while the wing-back system employed by
Cooper paid dividends, with Connor Roberts and Jake Bidwell causing all manner of problems for the two Cardiff full-backs.
Tactically, the Swans boss got it absolutely spot on.
His South Wales derby record now reads, played three, won two, drawn one.
Scored two, conceded none.
Not bad at all.
RYAN BENNETT
AT the centre of perhaps one of the biggest talking points of the game.
Already on a yellow, Bennett was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch after a cynical challenge on Kieffer Moore just before half-time.
Neil Harris suggested that a recent law change to how advantage is played may well have saved the Swans centre-back.
He said: “I bumped into the ref and he just explained the rule to me, he played advantage so he couldn’t give a yellow card.”
That explanation is likely to only extend the debate over whether he should have been handed his marching orders or not, but whatever the reason, Bennett went on put in a commanding performance alongside the superb Marc Guehi at the heart of the Swans defence.
It was a call that went his, and Swansea’s, way.
CARDIFF’S BENCHED STARS NOW WAITING IN THE WINGS
HARRIS named an unchanged lineup for the visit of their bitter rivals for the fifth consecutive outing, having won their previous four on the bounce.
Was it the right decision? Maybe not. But that’s another discussion.
One thing’s for sure, Harris will be changing things up for Wednesday’s outing against Birmingham City.
An injury and a red card means his hand has been forced, anyway, but he may well be tempted to take some players out of the firing line after this performance.
Opportunity surely beckons for the likes of Robert Glatzel and Josh Murphy, who among others may well be given a chance to shine as Harris looks to pick his team up from a disastrous day at the office.
LOSERS ALEX SMITHIES
A GOALKEEPER is always going to be second favourite when they have to keep an effort out from six yards, but the Cardiff City goalkeeper, normally so reliable between the sticks, simply had to do better to keep out Lowe’s opener.
He admittedly produced a superb save to keep out a terrific shot from Matt Grimes later on in the first half, but giving the first goal away in a derby can so often be fatal.
Indeed, you have to go back to Michael Chopra’s brace back in April
2010 for the last time Cardiff came from behind to beat the Swans.
Smithies admittedly wasn’t helped by some truly rancid defending in the build-up, but having managed to get a touch on Lowe’s finish, he will be desperately disappointed not to have kept it out.
It was undoubtedly a moment that swung the pendulum in Swansea’s favour.
JOE RALLS
MOMENTS of rashness aren’t exactly uncommon in a derby day atmosphere.
And Joe Ralls, normally the coolest customer on the pitch at the heart of the Cardiff City midfield, clearly let his frustrations get the better of him here.
It was a moment of madness from a player normally the epitome of reliability.
Yes, he’s a combatitive player, and it’s not the first time he’s seen red in his career, but to make such a rash challenge when you’re already on a yellow card points to a crucial collapse of common sense on the midfielder’s part.
It proved costly on the day – and his absence may yet prove costly later down the line.
KIEFFER MOORE
THE sight of Moore limping off with a hamstring injury after the striker attempted a backheeled flick towards goal will have only compounded the dismay for Cardiff fans – and with good reason too.
The striker is paramount to Cardiff’s efforts this season, having netted 10 goals so far this term, and losing him instantly blunts their attacking prowess ahead of a busy Christmas period.
“Kieffer looks like a hamstring,” a deflated Harris said after the game. “Any player who hobbles off the pitch is a concern. But it does look like a hamstring injury.”
Bluebirds fans will have everything crossed that they will see the talismanic striker back in action again soon.
THE FANS
IT’S pretty safe to say that it was a miserable day for Cardiff City fans, but Swans fans too might feel like they’d lost out a bit here.
Cooper dedicated this victory to the Jack Army, who will have cheered their team on from their sofas, and no doubt toasted the win with their own drinks supply.
Many will have enjoyed their day, but the levels of euphoria would have been stratospheric had they been allowed into the stadium for this one.
After all, what good is it to beat your most bitter rivals on their own patch if you can’t then rub their noses in it?
It was disappointing that Cooper couldn’t go over and give out a few well-deserved fist pumps too.
Derbies are as much about the fans and the atmosphere than they are about the action on the pitch.
The sooner these two sets of fans are back in and trading – ahem – pleasantries, the better.
They were all sorely missed.