BY GEORGE! BYERS THE GOAL HERO AS SWANS TAME LIONS

SWANSEA City bounced back from their defeat to Bristol City by beating Millwall in a hardfought Championship encounter at the Liberty Stadium.

George Byers netted his first senior goal for the club just before half time to preserve Swansea’s unbeaten record on their home patch in 2019.

In truth, it could have been a more comfortable victory for the hosts who had far better chances than the Lions, however, the victory sets them up nicely for Wednesday’s clash with high-flying Leeds United at Elland Road while ensuring they remain firmly in the play-off mix.

Manager Graham Potter made three changes from the side that started in the 2-0 defeat to Bristol City at Ashton Gate last weekend.

Courtney-Baker Richardson was handed his first league start since the 1-1 draw with Preston as Oli McBurnie was left on the bench after struggling with an illness in the buildup to the visit of the Lions.

Daniel James returned to the starting XI after being left out at Bristol City following his failed move to Leeds United on transfer deadline day while Wayne Routledge also started after recovering from a calf injury, with Jay Fulton and Nathan Dyer being the two to make way.

Ahead of the match, Lions chief Neil Harris revealed his side had endured some tough sessions on the training ground in preparation for Swansea’s possession-based style.

And his side had to do a fair amount of chasing early on as the hosts controlled the flow of the match.

Crucially for the Swans, it was not just for show, and after a slick one-two between Declan John and Routledge on the left, the former crossed for Byers to fire a shot at goal from the edge of the area in the fourth minute, but Jordan Archer was on red alert to palm the effort clear.

Potter’s troops continued to see the majority of the ball early on as Byers had another shot deflected wide.

Clear-cut openings remained few and far between though, with Millwall’s only opportunities falling to Jed Wallace and Ben Thompson who had shots well blocked by John and captain Mike van der Hoorn respectively.

The Swansea faithful were calling for a penalty midway through the first half as James’ cut-back that was intended for Routledge appeared to strike the arm of a Millwall defender, but referee Kevin Friend refused to point to the spot.

The clearest opening fell to van der Hoorn just before the half hour mark, although the Dutchman headed Matt Grimes’ corner well over after finding space in Millwall’s penalty area.

Swansea went even closer to breaking the deadlock soon after as Connor Roberts was fouled by Shaun Williams, and Archer pulled off a fine one-handed save to keep out Grimes’ curling effort.

But Swansea’s pressure finally told as Byers hammered beyond Archer at the second attempt via a deflection in the 43rd minute to ensure the hosts went into the break a goal to the good.

The Lions improved after the break and went close to equalising in the 50th minute as Mahlon Romeo had a shot well saved by Erwin Mulder.

And the Dutchman produced an even better save just five minutes later as he tipped over Jed Wallace’s rasping effort from the edge of the area.

Swansea weathered the storm and had a golden opportunity to double their advantage on the hour mark after a slick interchange between Byers and Routledge, although Bersant Celina scuffed an effort wide.

McBurnie and Kyle Naughton both entered the fray due to injuries sustained by John and Baker-Richardson respectively.

The former of those two almost continued his hot streak in front of goal, although his header from Byers’ cross went wide of Millwall’s goal.

And Swansea were just inches away from making it 2-0 as Celina dinked over Archer from a tight angle, but substitute Shane Ferguson cleared the Kosovan’s effort off the line.

James had a shot well blocked by Ben Marshall while van der Hoorn wanted a penalty after having his shirt pulled by Jake Cooper late on, although nothing was given.

Grimes had a free-kick save by Archer who was booked in the final stages after bringing down James on the edge of the area before McBurnie drilled an effort wide of goal.

But Cooper almost snatched the visitors a point in injury-time, although his header went wide as Potter’s men sealed a league double over the Lions.