CONNOR EDGES A TIGHT BATTLE
CONNOR Roberts’ first-half header proved enough for Swansea City, who moved up to fourth place in the Championship after beating Nottingham Forest.
It was a typically-tight encounter between two well-matched secondtier sides at The City Ground.
But Roberts’ towering header late in the opening half earned Swansea all three points and lifted them back into the play-off spots.
It means Steve Cooper’s men have claimed seven of the nine points on offer since the international break to ensure they go into another tough away test against Middlesbrough on Wednesday night in fine form.
After the last meeting between the sides in July, the Swans trailed Forest – who were in the box seat to clinch a play-off spot following a 2-2 draw between the sides – by six points with just two matches left of the 2019-20 campaign.
But following a dramatic turnaround, Cooper’s men ended the regular season ahead of Forest on goal difference.
The tables had been well and truly turned this time around, with Swansea sitting 14 places above Chris Hughton’s men ahead of kick-off having claimed 11 more points than their hosts.
The visitors were handed two significant injury boosts as they made three changes from the side who started the 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
Top scorer Andre Ayew and Marc Guehi were both deemed fit enough to start for the first time since before the international break, while Jay Fulton was also brought back in.
Ben Cabango, Yan Dhanda and Liam Cullen dropped to bench and both Viktor Gyokeres and Jordon Garrick were listed among the substitutes after a spell on the sidelines having tested positive for coronavirus.
Swansea went into the match with the best defensive record in the division having conceded just eight times in 13 games.
Conversely, Forest were among the division’s lowest scorers, with Lyle Taylor the only man to net more than once for the home side this season.
However, it was Hughton’s troops who started on the front foot, with top scorer Taylor flicking Sammy Ameobi’s cross just wide in the fifth minute.
Swansea still carried a threat though, with Ayew and Jamal Lowe having shots from distance as the visitors edged their way into the game.
Ryan Bennett headed Roberts’ free-kick into the arms of Brice Samba. However, Forest’s link-up play impressed, although they struggled to cause Freddie Woodman any problems.
Ayew had a shot deflected over before Korey Smith scuffed his strike on the edge of the box from a corner.
Kyle Naughton made a timely intervention as Taylor looked set to race through on goal.
But the clearest chance fell to Anthony Knockaert, who jinked his way beyond Guehi and into the centre of the box before firing at goal, although Woodman kept out the effort with his legs.
After weathering a spell of pressure, Swansea took the lead two minutes before the break as Roberts bravely put his body on the line to head home Ayew’s cross.
The Wales international needed treatment after taking a knock to the head, but his efforts were rewarded as the Swans took a one-goal advantage into the break.
Swansea had not lost a game in which they had gone ahead since being beaten 2-1 by Stoke City in October last year.
And they had the opportunity to double their lead shortly after the restart as captain Matt Grimes picked out Ayew in the box, although the Ghanaian’s spectacular overhead kick flew wide.
Grimes then fired over, although Forest were left furious after not being awarded a penalty as Taylor felt he was denied at the back post.
Ayew’s shot from Jake Bidwell’s pull back was blocked at the other end as the game opened up.
Swansea almost got caught out midway through the second half as Taylor evaded the attention of Naughton and Bennett, although the attack ended with Knockaert drilling a low shot just wide.
Roberts fired straight at Samba before Forest pressed forward in search of a late equaliser.
Taylor headed over before Grimes fired wide at the other end.
And Swansea held on to clinch their first away victory since beating Wycombe 2-0 in September.