Cooper loopy at dodgy red
THIS was a goalless bore – brought to life by one shuddering red-card challenge that sparked a major difference of managerial opinion.
Swansea’s Jake Bidwell was sent off in added-time after clattering Bristol City livewire substitute Niclas Eliasson.
According to Liberty Stadium boss Steve Cooper, his left-back should never have seen red for the sliding challenge near the touchline.
The Swans boss said: “It was as yellow as they come.
“To send him off? I’ve just spoken to the referee and he said that the linesman made the decision.
“It was a poor decision. It was a foul, don’t get me wrong. But it’s far away from goal.
“We will look at the appeal process before deciding what to do.
“Everyone, whether you are City or Swansea, knows it wasn’t a sending off.”
Everyone, that is, but Cooper’s opposite number Lee Johnson. He reckoned Bidwell paid the price for deliberately leaving a mark on tormentor Eliasson. Johnson said: “I don’t think he’s going to get off if he appeals. The player had an attitude to hurt Eliasson. That’s the difference between yellow and red.”
As for the outcome, which puts Swansea level on points with tabletopping Leeds and leaves Bristol City two points adrift, once again neither coach was in unison.
Cooper, with one defeat in eight games, added: “It feels like a missed opportunity. We played like the home team – especially in the second half.
“We’re making progress but we should have won given the way the game panned out.”
Cooper’s verdict was a tad biased. The visitors may have looked the more assured but, in truth, created little.
They took until the 45th minute to produce an effort on target and it was only after half-time that they really threatened excellent City goalkeeper Dan Bentley.
The hosts were no better in the final third, mind – when they even got that far up the pitch.
Josh Brownhill had a free-kick saved on the halfhour and then first-half substitute Famara Diedhiou glanced an effort wide.
Little wonder Johnson was chuffed with a share of the spoils for his injury-hit Robins.
He added: “I’m happy because this is a point against a good side. They caused us problems.” BRISTOLCITY SWANSEACITY 2 ........ Shots on Target .........2 5 ........Shots off Target .........8 2 ................Corners .................8 8 ..................Fouls .................. 10 2 ............... Offsides ..................1 70.5...Passing Success % .... 77.7 342....... Total Passes ........ 443 43.2..... Possession % .....56.8 55.4 .Territorial Adv % ..44.6