Flynn pulls the strings

RUSSELL MARTIN hailed midfield maestro Flynn Downes after he orchestrated

Swans’ first home victory of the season.

Joel Piroe sank the Terriers with his sixth goal of the season to end a run of four games without a win.

But Martin picked out man-of-thematch Downes for laying the foundations of a long-awaited triumph at the Swansea. com Stadium.

“Flynn was incredible,” he said. “It’s really difficult to single people out but he does the dirty work really well which sometimes goes unsung.

“It’s his willingness to learn, his attitude and attention to detail.

“He enables people to do their roles brilliantly, he plays with no ego at all and knows exactly his role in the team.”

Swansea had dominated their previous home game against Hull and Millwall but were left frustrated by some stubborn defending, before deadly striker Piroe found the breakthrough after 17 minutes.

Jamie Paterson received the ball from Piroe, swivelled and played delicate ball over the top to find the run of the Dutch striker, who beat Tom Lees to the ball and produced a composed finish (above) for his sixth goal of the season.

The visitors gave Martin’s men a scare when Harry Tofollo headed over from Sorba Thomas’s corner as they began to exert some pressure of their own.

But the Swans prevented the Terriers from registering a shot on target to claim their second Championship victory this season.

“In some spaces of the pitch they were better individually than us,” said Huddersfield boss Carlos Corberan. “The mentality in the first half was not good enough.”

SWANSEA: Hamer 6; Cabango 7, Naughton 7, Manning 7; Laird 7, Downes 9, Grimes 6, Bidwell 7; Paterson 8 (Smith 69, 6), Ntcham 7 (Fulton 75, 7); Piroe 8 (Cullen 69, 6).

Unused Subs: Benda, Latibeaudiere, Smith, Cooper, Walsh.

HUDDERSFIELD: Nicholls 7; Pearson 5, Lees 5, Colwill 6; Turton 5 (Koroma 61, 7), Hogg 5 (Odubeko 83, 5), O’brien 7, Toffolo 7; Sinani 5, Campbell 5 (Holmes 64, 6), Thomas 6.

Unused Subs: Bellagambi, Sarr, High, Vallejo.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Flynn Downes. Swansea’s midfield general bossed possession to keep his side in control.

REFEREE: Gavin Ward 7.