It’s Bingo Cabango as Swansea stay in race

SWANSEA opened a four-point lead over the chasing pack in the Championship’s promotion race with a clinical dispatch of Barnsley.

Goals from Wales international Ben Cabango and top scorer Jamal Lowe — his seventh in as many matches — put the gloss on another shut-out.

The win means Steve Cooper’s team took full advantage of thirdplaced Bournemouth’s surprise slip-up against Luton.

It was not just the result but the manner of the performance that suggests the Welsh club are well positioned to complete their quest for a top-flight return at the third attempt.

Since relegation from the Premier League in 2017-18, Swansea have invested in two of English football’s bright est young managerial talents.

If Graham Potter cultivated the shoots of recovery with a stabilising 10th-placed finish the following season, there has undoubtedly been more growth with former England Under 17 boss Cooper.

Play-off participation last July has been followed by elevation into the top two this time around.

Sustained success has been forged on Cooper’s insistence on discipline out of possession — their 13 goals conceded is the most miserly at the Championship’s mid-point for five years.

Six clean sheets in eight league outings preceded this contest, with Marc Guehi and Cabango — both 20 — a reassuring presence performing beyond their years in central defence.

Behind them, Freddie Woodman was well protected at Oakwell despite an aggressive Barnsley side pressing hard during the first half. They have been transformed from relegation favourites to potential play- off contenders under Valerien Ismael.

Victor Adeboyejo failed to capitalise on a slip in the 11th minute when Cabango lost his footing, thrashing his shot over.

When Adeboyejo did hit the target, after wriggling free in the sixyard box, Woodman parried around his post at the expense of a corner.

Callum Styles’ low strike from the edge of the area did not trouble the goalkeeper.

In contrast, Swansea found the net with their first effort on target in first-half injury time.

Cabango stole to the front of a posse of players six yards out to guide Connor Roberts’ throw across goal and into the top corner.

And they sealed victory when Lowe seized upon a comical mix-up between Barnsley centre backs Mads Andersen and Michal Helik to slot under the advancing Jack Walton f or hi s ni nth goal of the season.