Swans flying high after a capital night in London
BORJA Baston’s Swansea City redemption continued as a fourth goal in as many league appearances helped his side claim a hard-fought victory over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road last night.
The Spaniard struck from the spot midway through the second half before substitute Sam Surridge popped up with a late header to seal all three points for Steve Cooper’s men, who had previously taken the lead through Bersant Celina’s welltaken first-half opener.
Jordan Hugill gave the hosts a deserved leveller shortly after Todd Kane saw a cross come back off the crossbar, and R’s boss Mark Warburton will have been deeply frustrated that his side didn’t claim victory.
This wasn’t the most polished of Swansea performances, but the grit and determination shown here to to claim the win will have been immensely pleasing for Cooper.
After his impressive cameos from the bench in the wins over Northampton Town and Preston North End, Andre Ayew was handed his first Swansea start in 15 months.
On the evidence of this showing there are likely to be plenty more.
The Ghanaian was one of two changes made by Cooper, whose incredible start to life at the Swans helm continues.
Having been smashed 4-0 at the hands of the R’s last season, Swansea were far more assured here. Far more streetwise. Far better.
There were similarities too. Just like under Graham Potter, it’s clear to see that there’s a plan here — and everyone’s on board.
Even Oli McBurnie, the man everyone thought would hold the key to Swansea’s season, can’t seem to stay away. The current Sheffield United striker was among the jubliant 1,000 or so fans in a superb away end who, say it really quietly, are starting to dream.
It’s worth noting that it didn’t all go Swansea’s way against a QPR side previously without a home win in their previous four attempts.
Despite dominating possession the Swans found themselves on the back foot in the opening exchanges.
Hugill nearly pulled of a spectacular volley on 13 minutes, before Freddie Woodman was forced to tip Ebere Eze’s low drive round the post.
Celina had an almost carbon copy of that chance at the other end, but QPR continued to boast the better chances, with Bright Osayi-Samuel causing several headaches for Jake Bidwell on his return to West London.
When Connor Roberts needlessly put the ball out for a corner midway through the opening half you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Swans may well have been in danger of letting the pressure get to them in much the same way as that April mauling.
But moments later the nerves were settled. The very same corner that Swansea had given away so cheaply provided the catalyst for Ayew to launch a blistering counter-attack, the forward bursting through the middle of the defence like a dagger before taking advantage of the high press to slip in Celina, who slotted home the resulting one-on-one opportunity.
QPR, to their credit, rallied, and came close just before the hour when Kane saw a deep cross from the right come bouncing back off the bar, before Josh Scowen drilled wide.
Woodman then produced a huge save to deny Ilias Chair from close range, but the hosts were not to be denied as Hugill finally beat the Newcastle United loanee with an expert glancing header.
It was quite a baptism of fire for youngster Jordon Garrick, who was introduced shortly before that leveller for his full league debut, but it was the youngster who provided the spark for Swansea’s recovery.
A simple drop of the shoulder saw him beat his man before being tripped in the box by Yoann Barbet.
Borja made no mistake, drilling through the middle to restore Swansea’s advantage.
And the evening was to get even better late on as fellow substitute Surridge made sure of the win with a close-range header, sending the away fans behind the goal into dreamland on a thoroughly satisfying night for Cooper’s troops. They’re starting to believe...
Swansea: Woodman; Roberts, van der Hoorn, Rodon, Bidwell; Fulton, Grimes; Ayew (Naughton 81), Byers (Garrick 62), Celina; Borja (Surridge 77). Subs not used: Nordfeldt, Routledge, Wilmot, Dhanda,
Attendance: 12,287 (1,085 away)