Swans storm to success and stay in play-off hunt
out from a Conor Gallagher cross, with the 20-year-old lashing home his eighth goal for the Swans to level proceedings.
Swansea’s system really seemed to suit them against the Blues, and their wing-backs offered so much width that stretched the hosts.
But despite seeing far less of the ball, Birmingham remained threatening, particularly from set-pieces, with Gary Gardner heading over from a corner shortly after Scott Hogan was denied by a vital block from Cabango.
Cooper’s side continued to see the majority of the ball, and a piece of individual brilliance from Andre Ayew on the right led to Matt Grimes firing at goal from the edge of the box, although the captain – on his 100th appearance for the club – could not test Lee Camp.
Brewster had the ball in the net again shortly after the half-hour mark after being expertly picked out by Kyle Naughton, although he was flagged offside before he chipped over Camp.
The away side continued to hammer away though, and they got their rewards again on the stroke of halftime as Birmingham failed to clear Connor Roberts’ cross from the right, and Cabango was alert to lash home his first Swansea goal to ensure his side led 2-1 at the break.
The message will have been loud and clear in the Swansea dressing room at half-time, and they certainly looked to maintain their high intensity after the restart.
But Birmingham substitute Jude Bellingham had a glorious opportunity to level proceedings five minutes into the second half, although he dragged his shot wide.
And Clotet’s troops were made to pay with a move that came straight from Swansea’s training ground as Grimes picked out Fulton from a corner, and the midfielder’s scuffed effort sailed into the roof of the net.
It gave the visitors some muchneeded breathing space, and the Blues were clearly growing frustrated, with Marc Roberts perhaps fortunate to only be yellow-carded for a cynical foul on Gallagher.
Despite the relentless nature of the post-lockdown schedule, Swansea’s work-rate ensured they gave Birmingham precious little opportunity to play through them.
The home side’s efforts came largely from set-pieces, with Freddie Woodman punching clear from a corner before Gardner scuffed a shot well wide.
Fulton and Gardner were both booked in quick succession as the game became somewhat scrappy in midfield, although Swansea defended stoically when the Blues did attempt to apply more pressure in the final 20 minutes.
Jutkiewicz was unable to beat Woodman when through on goal late on, while Brewster spurned the chance to make it 4-1 after failing to lob Camp.
But Swansea returned to south Wales having secured back-to-back wins for the first time since December as they blew the race for a playoff spot wide open.
Camp; Colin, Roberts, Clarke-Salter, Pedersen; Crowley, Sunjic, Gardner, Bela (Reid, 77); Jutkiewicz (c), Hogan
Birmingham City:
Millwall 0 Middlesbrough 2; West Brom 2 Derby 0; Birmingham 1 Swansea 3; Bristol City 2 Hull 1; Wigan 1 QPR 0; Sheff Wed L-L Preston. (Bellingham, 46). Subs not used: Trueman, Harding, Gordon, Dean, Kieftenbeld, Boyd-Munce, Stirk.
Roberts 55, Gardner
Yellow cards:
73.
Swansea City:
Woodman; Naughton, Cabango, Guehi; Roberts, Fulton, Grimes (c), Bidwell; Gallagher; Ayew, Brewster (Routledge, 82). Subs not used: Mulder, van der Hoorn, Byers, Dhanda, Celina, Kalulu, Dyer, Cullen.
Yellow cards:
90+2.
Referee:
Fulton 72, Naughton
Jarred Gillett.