Swansea City 2-1 West Bromwich Albion: Jamie Paterson shines again as Swans fight back to win

Joel Piroe slides home his fourth goal in six gamesImage source, Huw Evans picture agency
Image caption,

Joel Piroe slides home his fourth goal in six games

West Bromwich Albion were beaten for only the second time in the Championship this season as Joel Piroe and Jamie Paterson gave Swansea City a thrilling comeback win.

Karlan Grant's fifth goal in as many games put Valerien Ismael's side in front inside the first minute.

Piroe coolly levelled before Paterson, the hero of the south Wales derby, scored another fine individual goal.

Improving Swansea climb to 15th, while Albion drop to third.

Boss Russell Martin could take huge satisfaction from another progressive Swansea performance, particularly after such a disastrous start.

His team are celebrating back-to-back league wins for the first time this season, while West Brom have lost two in three, having gone unbeaten in the league until defeat at Stoke earlier this month.

Swansea had come into the contest in buoyant mood after Sunday's victory over rivals Cardiff - Martin's best day since taking charge in August.

Yet it took all of 52 seconds for any momentum from that win to be wiped out.

Swansea were sloppy in possession from the outset, with West Brom ruthlessly punishing Paterson's loose flick as Callum Robinson scampered into the box and squared for Grant to tap home at the far post.

The simple finish made Albion only the second visiting team to score a league goal on this ground this season.

Swansea recovered from the setback to control the ball for much of the first half, though they rarely looked like troubling Albion's miserly defence before the break.

Image source, Huw Evans picture agency
Image caption,

Karlan Grant celebrates after stroking home his sixth goal of the season

The hosts' first real sight of goal arrived early in the second period when substitute Olivier Ntcham volleyed wide at the far post.

Albion had opportunities to extend their lead, with Matt Clarke heading wide before Jake Livermore's drive skidded across the soggy surface and drew a sharp save from Ben Hamer.

Yet Swansea levelled when Paterson claimed a third assist in two games, lifting the ball over the top for Piroe.

As the offside flag stayed down, the Dutchman showed admirable strength to hold off Clarke's challenge before stroking the ball beyond Sam Johnstone.

Ntcham saw two more efforts fly wide as Albion wobbled, though the visitors responded when Matt Phillips' thunderous 25-yard drive was pushed onto the bar by Hamer.

But it was Martin's men who found a winner when Piroe turned provider for Paterson, who danced past Swansea old boy Kyle Bartley on the edge of the area before poking a shot into the far corner of the net.

Swansea head coach Russell Martin:

"It wasn't an ideal start. The way they recovered after a slow start, incredible really.

"Brave, such a strong mentality, they stuck to the plan and played with real intensity in the second half especially against a team who are really well organised, aggressive and hard to play against - which is why they are so high in the league.

"I think we deserved the win. I loved the courage the guys played with tonight. I think they're getting stronger and stronger physically, their connection with each other, with what we are trying to bring on the pitch in terms of the identity of the team.

"We said let's just please back up the performance on Sunday with another one and thankfully we have done that."

West Brom head coach Valerien Ismael:

"For sure we are disappointed to lose the game, especially with another mistake. It was the same against Stoke.

"We started the game well - good pressing, we forced a lot of long balls, Swansea didn't create a big chance. Our problem throughout the game was our transition. We didn't keep the ball.

"Swansea came back into the game. The goal gave them the second breath. We had a big chance with Matt Phillips - the game was on the edge.

"At the end we made the big mistake. This is the reason we lost the game. We don't need to overreact. We play the next game on Saturday and we need the right reaction."

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