'Big nights' should drive Swansea on - Sheehan

Alan Sheehan took charge at Swansea following Luke Williams' departure last February

Alan Sheehan says Swansea City must use the experience of challenging Manchester City to drive their bid to compete for a return to the Premier League.

Swansea pushed Pep Guardiola's side before bowing out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, going ahead through a memorable Goncalo Franco goal before eventually succumbing to the visitors' quality.

Jeremy Doku levelled before half-time, but it was not until the 77th minute that Omar Marmoush put Manchester City ahead while Rayan Cherki sealed a 3-1 success in added time.

Sheehan, whose side are 13th in the second tier, says this season's cup run – which also featured a memorable third-round triumph over Nottingham Forest – has given Swansea a flavour of what it is like to compete with top-level teams.

"I want to bring these nights to the club," the Swansea head coach said.

"I wanted to bring the Nottingham Forest night. As a staff and our players, we want to bring this kind of night and it gives you the taste of it.

"We are building, we've had 12 players in, 18 players out [this summer], but we want to get there."

Swansea have not played in the top flight since 2018, and have not made a genuine push for a return since losing the Championship play-off final to Brentford in 2021.

But following a change of ownership last November, the Welsh club showed ambition in the summer transfer window and have made it clear that a return to the highest level is their target.

Goncalo Franco's second goal of the season was reward for Swansea's impressive start against Manchester City

A top-six push would be regarded as progress in 2025-26 and, after an inconsistent start to their league campaign, Sheehan says his players must take inspiration from their performance against Manchester City.

"We spoke [in the dressing room] about taking confidence from this game in terms of potentially this will be the best team that you play," he added.

"You have to take that confidence and understand the things that you did well and what we want to get better at and bring it forward with us.

"We are three points off the play-offs so ultimately it's about finding that rhythm in the league."

Having won a Championship game for only the second time since August against Norwich City last weekend, Swansea are back in league action at in-form Charlton this Saturday.

They then face a midweek trip to Preston and a home fixture against Ipswich prior to the November international break.

"We've got to rest, recover and get ready to go again but in terms of the night [against Manchester City], there is a special feel to it," Sheehan said.

"We wanted this game, we won three games to get here and you want to test yourself against the best, and they are.

"I'm very, very proud of all the players and how they handled themselves."