OBAFEMI’S DOUBLE ENDS GOOD WEEK FOR THE SWANS
SWANSEA City secured backto-back Championship wins for the first time since November after easing to a 3-1 win over Coventry City at the Swansea.com Stadium.
A brace from Michael Obafemi was at the heart of the victory for Russell Martin’s men, who have also now claimed three consecutive home wins.
Jamie Paterson’s superb early opener set the tone for the contest, before Obafemi slotted home a second just before the break.
The former Southampton man then doubled his tally shortly after the break, coolly driving an effort past former Cardiff City goalkeeper Simon Moore following a superb Matt Grimes pass.
Gustavo Hamer netted late on for the visitors, but it was too late to show any real sign of an unlikely comeback.
The Swans stay in 16th on the back of this result, but will feel that they have set themselves up for a strong finish to a largely transitional campaign.
Martin made just one change to the side that triumphed over West Bromwich Albion on Monday night, with a positive Covid test seeing Hannes Wolf make way for Korey Smith at left wing-back, a largely unfamiliar role that he played with distinction for much of the afternoon.
Indeed, he more than played his part in Swansea’s after 13 minutes, although Paterson was admittedly the real architect, playing a neat onetwo that allowed Smith to burst clear down the left, who then squared for
Obafemi inside the box, and the striker’s cushioned touch teed up for the onrushing Paterson to slot home.
It was the 30-year-old’s first goal since his high-profile contract dispute back in January, and will only add further weight to his stock in SA1.
It was a lead Swansea just about deserved, although they were by no means their usual dominant selves in possession.
Gustavo Hamer snapped a shot well over the cross bar just after half an hour as Coventry looked to mus
ter a response, but the Swans held firm, and doubled their lead just after the break.
Given Martin’s footballing philosophies, this was perhaps an uncharacteristically route one effort.
Fisher’s lofted ball found Flynn Downes in the middle of the park, and he then split the defence open with a perfect through-ball, allowing Obafemi to take a touch and tuck away his fourth goal of the season.
Swansea were cruising, although admittedly Fisher had to be alert to keep out former Swans striker Viktor Gyokeres, after he pounced on a mistake from Ben Cabango.
But Coventry, who hadn’t won in SA1 since 1950, otherwise seldom looked a genuine threat.
Moments after the break, Swansea had a third.
Grimes did brilliantly to rob Ben Sheaf in midfield, before setting Obafemi clear of the defence again with a pinpoint pass.
Obafemi, clearly enjoying himself, was then left to apply a cool finish.
Coventry did their best to rally. Indeed, Kyle Naughton did brilliantly to block Gyokeres after he bore down on goal on the break, with Ian Maatsen then sending the resulting rebound over the bar.
Swansea fans, watching their side score three goals for the second straight home game, did their bit to try and keep their team’s moment going, rattling through songs on club legends Alan Tate, Lee Trundle, and John Toshack, the latter of whom sadly remains in hospital battling Covid-19.
But Coventry seemingly decided to snap into gear as the game approached the final quarter or so.
A brilliant save from Fisher denied Godden, before substitute Martyn Waghorn turned a stooped header just wide.
Kyle McFadzean then sent a header narrowly over the bar as Coventry continued to cause problems for an increasingly leggy-looking Swans defence, and their deserved consolation arrived five minutes from time.
Another terrific save from Fisher denied Godden again, but the Swans goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Waghorn pouncing on the rebound and setting up for Hamer to power into the bottom corner.
But it was too little too late, as Swansea held their nerve to claim what was, on the whole, a largely deserved victory.
The drop in intensity towards the end of the second half might well have taken some of the gloss off this result for Martin.
But overall there were plenty of positives from this performance, with the Swans boss himself showing his approval with some trademark fist-bumps to the Jack Army at fulltime.
The result will certainly maintain further momentum ahead of Tuesday night, with league leaders Fulham the visitors to the Swansea.com Stadium.