Swansea City 1-0 Bristol City: Swansea keep play-off hopes alive
- Published
Wales defender Connor Roberts' first goal of the season gave Swansea the lead in first half stoppage time
Swansea City kept their Championship play-off hopes alive as Connor Roberts' goal gave them a nervy 1-0 win over Bristol City.
Roberts struck from close range late in the first half and the Wales international's first goal of the season was enough to end Bristol City's slim top-six hopes.
Swansea had to hang on after the break, with Bristol City's Famara Diedhiou wasting a chance to equalise from the penalty spot.
Despite claiming a first win in three matches, Swansea remain outsiders in the play-off chase.
Steve Cooper's side must win at mid-table Reading on the final day of the season and hope Cardiff City, who are currently sixth after their 3-1 win at Middlesbrough, lose at home to relegation-threatened Hull.
It is not inconceivable that they could catch fifth-placed Nottingham Forest, although Sabri Lamouchi's team would have to lose their remaining two games and suffer a big swing in goal difference in the process for that to happen.
Cooper had told his players before this game that only two wins from their two remaining games would do, yet it was Bristol City who began with more conviction.
Dean Holden's team were sharper in possession and quicker to the second ball, and they might have gone in front when Nahki Wells met Jay DaSilva's cross at the far post but could only glance a header wide.
Bristol City's Andreas Weimann and Marc Guehi of Swansea City compete for a high ball
Swansea slowly came into the contest, with Andre Ayew's hooked effort forcing Daniel Bentley to push the ball to safety.
The in-form Rhian Brewster then volleyed wide from Marc Guehi's centre before Swansea's improvement was rewarded as they went ahead in first-half stoppage time.
Conor Gallagher, who had curled wide of the target early on, saw a similar effort from 25 yards crash off the post.
The ball ricocheted to wing-back Roberts, who coolly steered a low shot beyond the despairing Bentley and into the net.
To their credit, the visitors came again early in the second period, with Korey Smith cutting in from the left and curling a shot beyond the far post.
Wells then found space again but headed off target before Swansea came close to doubling the lead as Brewster's drive was parried by Bentley and Ayew saw a follow-up blocked.
Then came a huge opportunity for the visitors to level, as referee Darren Bond deemed that Ben Cabango had pulled down substitute Diedhiou - who had only been on the pitch for a matter of seconds - in the area as a cross came in.
Diedhiou's first touch was the spot-kick, which he hammered against the post to let Swansea off the hook.
Ayew might have eased home nerves on a swift Swansea counter but his shot was too close to Bentley, while a late effort from the Ghanaian deflected on to the outside of the post.
The near misses did not cost Swansea, who dug deep to keep their season alive.
Swansea head coach Steve Cooper:
"I thought it was a really good game - two teams playing to win. We took a little bit in the first half to settle down, but once we did I thought we played some excellent football.
"We played through the lines, looked a real threat, particularly with Jake Bidwell and Connor Roberts, and I really liked the look of us.
"I thought the goal was coming, and I'm pleased for Connor Roberts, he gets in the box enough.
"Second half, we were penned in a little bit, and I don't know if it was a penalty or not, but it was a bit of a lifeline when it hit the post. I thought we managed their numerous attacking players really well. I don't think Erwin (Mulder] has had a major save to make. We were good for it."
Bristol City caretaker head coach Dean Holden:
"The game is won and lost on fine margins. We had a big chance first half with a header, then the goal they scored we have to defend better.
"Then the game swings on the penalty miss. He has scored big penalties before and it's gone off the inside of the post. Who knows what would have happened if we had put that away.
"I have a lot of respect for Steve (Cooper) and the way he sets his team up, but we have come here with a plan and at times they couldn't get near us.
"It's just about the final end product that wins and loses the game. Although we have had lots of efforts on goal, we probably didn't work the goalkeeper enough."