Swansea City 3-1 Coventry City: Michael Obafemi double helps Swans to Sky Blues win

Michael Obafemi (centre) scored twice in one game for the first time in his career

Coventry City's Championship play-off hopes suffered a setback as Michael Obafemi's double helped Swansea City to an impressive 3-1 victory.

Jamie Paterson opened the scoring when his precise drive rounded off a superb passing move.

Obafemi twice finished coolly to put impressive Swansea in total control.

Coventry responded despite the deficit, but Gustavo Hamer's composed effort came too late as they missed the chance to cut the gap to the top six.

Viktor Gyokeres and Matty Godden also went close for Mark Robins' side, who might have produced an unlikely revival had they taken their opportunities.

But a first defeat in four games see the Sky Blues slip to 11th, four points adrift of the top six, while Swansea stay 16th despite a fourth win in their last six outings.

This was a meeting of two sides who began in confident mood, with Swansea making progress of late after a spell in which Russell Martin's team were dogged by inconsistency.

Coventry have also been in good form, but quickly found themselves behind here courtesy of a very fine Swansea goal.

The Sky Blues were opened up down their right as Korey Smith - playing in an unfamiliar left-wingback role after Hannes Wolf tested positive for Covid - played a sharp one-two with Paterson.

Smith centred for Obafemi to lay the ball off for Paterson, who drilled a fierce, left-footed shot across Simon Moore and inside the far post.

Paterson's first goal since November - and the first since his return from his much-publicised spell in first-team exile because of contract issues - was one of the best Swansea have scored all season.

The hosts were the sharper side throughout the first period and doubled their advantage when goalkeeper Andy Fisher lofted a pass to Flynn Downes in midfield and he strolled unchallenged into the Coventry half.

Downes rolled the ball into the path of Obafemi, who slid a shot under the advancing Moore and into the bottom corner.

Jamie Paterson drives a shot inside the far post to score his first goal since November

Coventry offered little going forward before the break, yet they ought to have pulled one back when Viktor Gyokeres latched onto Ben Cabango's loose header only for Fisher to save Swansea.

Coventry needed a response after the break, but what they got was a third Swansea goal.

Matt Grimes dispossessed Ben Sheaf in midfield and threaded a pass through for Obafemi, who outpaced Kyle McFadzean and beat Moore with his second measured finish of the afternoon.

Coventry might have responded swiftly, but Gyokeres was snuffed out by a fine Kyle Naughton challenge before Ian Maatsen lifted the rebound into the crowd.

Substitute Matty Godden was then twice denied by Fisher as Swansea lost their way, with Coventry finally finding the target as Hamer steered a low effort into the bottom corner.

Swansea head coach Russell Martin:

"I am really pleased with the result. I absolutely loved the first-half performance, I didn't particularly enjoy the second-half performance.

"We have a fairly young team who have not been in the position of being 3-0 up very often and we didn't manage the game very well.

"Second half we have to do better - that's left me feeling not as positive as I probably should do.

"But I don't want to be too negative. Back-to-back wins after a really tough result shows the character they have and the work they are putting in, and I am really proud of them for that."

Coventry manager Mark Robins:

"We would love to have played better. From our point of view it's a disappointing day.

"We were our own worst enemies. We gave them enough chances to go and win the game and they didn't have to do anything really - I have seen them play a lot better than that.

"We were better second half, but we have had three one-on-ones and only taken one. That's not us.

"They were pretty ruthless when they got their opportunities but it's more a story of us not taking our chances and giving them an opportunity to bury theirs."