Swansea City

Molly Stephens
Final Score and 5 Live Sport reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea City's season is up and running with a win that was thoroughly deserved after countless chances for the hosts.

What was clear is that Sheffield United's brief was "defend" and Swansea City's was "attack".

This was made clear by a huge contrast in the opportunities in front of goal - Ruben Selles' side did not manage a single shot on target in the whole game.

Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux didn't have a save to make. No, the table doesn't matter right now, but it's hard to believe the Blades, who are rock bottom, were playing in the play-off final a matter of months ago.

Their opponents that day, Sunderland, have recorded their first win in their first game back in the top-flight.

Meanwhile Sheffield United lacked any sort of threat in front of goal.

The players looked completely dejected at full time, and that was only exacerbated when you see the faces of the clearly frustrated fans, who travelled 239 miles to watch their team come nowhere near a point in the 27 degree heat in South Wales.

Swansea, meanwhile, were dominant from the get-go.

Alan Sheehan's side thoroughly deserved the win. Chances in double figures, but, perhaps you'll then wonder, why not more than one goal?

Well it's the age old issue. They lack an out-and-out striker. Now that is no disrespect to Wales international Liam Cullen who played up front for the Swans against the Blades, but he is playing out of position trying to lead the attack as a nine, and is better with someone alongside him.

It's clear an additional striker is needed. Just the 16 days until Deadline Day.

But take nothing away from a game full of chances and a fanbase buoyed by an encouraging attacking performance.

Image source, BBC Sport

Swansea City have bounced back from their opening day defeat against Middlesbrough with back-to-back wins.

The first came in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, as Swansea proved too strong for 10-man Crawley Town - setting up a second round match with Plymouth.

Then, more impressively, Swansea kept a clean sheet at home in a 1-0 win over Sheffield United.

New signings Bobby Wales and Ethan Galbraith both found the net in midweek against Crawley, while Ronald was on target in both wins.

Summer signings Cameron Burgess and Malick Yalcouye have impressed, while Zeidane Inoussa and Melker Widell have both made impacts off the bench.

So after one win and one defeat in the league, and success in the Carabao Cup, how do you rate the start to Swansea's season?

Have your say here!

Sheffield United will search for their first win of the season when they head to Swansea City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Blades have already faced tough losses against Bristol City and Birmingham City in their Championship and Carabao Cup opening games to give new boss Ruben Selles a difficult start to life as United's boss.

Hosts Swansea also struggled in their league opener, losing 1-0 to Middlesbrough in a disappointing away match, but found a comfortable 3-1 win over a 10-man Crawley in their midweek cup game.

• Swansea City have lost each of their last five league games against Sheffield United, scoring just one goal and conceding 11 in that time.

• Sheffield United have won each of their last 11 league games against sides from Wales; it's the joint-longest ever winning run a side has had in the Football League vs teams from the country alongside Colchester United between 1985 and 1987.

• After losing 1-0 to Middlesbrough last weekend, Swansea will be looking to avoid losing each of their opening two games of a league campaign for the first time since 2013-14.

• With their 4-1 defeat to Bristol City on Saturday, Sheffield United conceded 4+ goals in their opening match of a league season for just the second time this century after losing 4-0 to Gillingham in August 2015.

• On MD1, Sheffield United recorded more touches in the opposition's box than any other side (50), their most in a league game since April 2023 against Preston North End (52)

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Alan Sheehan wants more of the same at the Swansea.com Stadium as his Swansea City side prepare for their first home game of the new Championship season.

Swansea host Sheffield United on Saturday (15:00 BST) having lost on the opening day at Middlesbrough last weekend.

The Welsh side claimed a first victory of 2025-26 as Crawley Town visited in the Carabao Cup in midweek – and Sheehan says that must be the first of many home wins if his team are to have a successful season.

"Home form is very important," said the Swansea head coach.

"Away you have to be difficult to beat, be competitive and pick up points.

"Some games will be different from others as we know – it's the Championship. But within that, the home form in front of your own fans, you want to be able to go and put in wonderful performances and send people home happy."

Swansea were formidable on their own patch after Sheehan took the reins in February, winning five and losing only one of their last seven home games in 2024-25.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Sheehan also claimed two wins from three home fixtures in his spell as caretaker boss during the 2023-24 season, giving him an overall record of 22 points from 10 league fixtures in Swansea's own backyard.

"Our fans were wonderful towards the end of last season when we built wonderful momentum," he added.

"We have got to get there again. When you are winning there is a wonderful feel to that. You get that extra couple of per cent when the fans are behind you.

"The players respond to it - they love it. Obviously we want to create that again."

Swansea will again be without Ricardo Santos against the Blades, with the centre-back expected back in September after suffering a leg injury in pre-season.

But Kaelan Casey is available after coming off against Crawley with cramp, while club skipper Ben Cabango (pictured above) has responded well after returning from injury in the Boro defeat.

Image source, FAW

Swansea City Women have re-signed club stalwart Ellie Lake and brought in midfielder Eilish Mitchell, goalkeeper Amelia Forkings and centre-back Caitlin Seaborne.

Defender Lake, 26, returns to Swansea having spent seven seasons at the club before playing for Gwalia United in 2024-25.

Seaborne, who had a stint with American club Jacksonville Armada this summer, helped Pontypridd win promotion from the Adran South last season alongside ex-Wales Under-19 international Forkings.

Mitchell spent last season with Swansea University having previously been on the books at Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Image source, Getty Images

Ethan Galbraith says he already feels at home at Swansea City having made a bright start to life at the Championship club following his summer move from Leyton Orient.

Swansea paid about £1.5m to land Northern Ireland midfielder Galbraith having first tried to sign him during the January transfer window.

Galbraith has made an instant impression at his new club, having played a starring role in Tuesday's Carabao Cup win over Crawley Town and been one of Alan Sheehan's better performers at Middlesbrough last weekend.

And the 24-year-old believes the decision to move to Wales is already paying off.

"I am loving it - the lads have really helped me settle in," Galbraith said.

"I think there was talk [of a move] in January. It didn't happen but they came back in the summer so for me [for Swansea] to show the interest again, it was a no-brainer."

Former Manchester United youngster Galbraith had loan spells with Doncaster and Salford before joining Orient in 2023.

He scored 11 goals in 96 games for the London club, with May's League One play-off final defeat to Charlton proving to be his final appearance for the O's.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

"Credit to Orient - it's an unbelievable club. They looked after me and it was a great two years," Galbraith added.

"But now I am a Swansea player and I am looking forward to what's to come. I felt it was the right time to test myself [in the Championship]."

The versatile Galbraith, who scored his first Swansea goal in the Crawley win, has already been deployed as a deep-lying midfielder and in a more advanced central role in his brief Swansea career.

He says he is happiest in the centre of the pitch, though he is also an option at right-back having played there at times for Orient.

Galbraith can expect to retain his midfield place as Swansea target a first league win of the new season when Sheffield United – who were thrashed at home by Bristol City in their league opener - visit on Saturday.

"The result we had last weekend and the result they had, both teams will be trying to bounce back," Galbraith said.

"It will be a great game and hopefully we can come out on the right side of it."

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea City will host Plymouth Argyle in the second round of the Carabao Cup, with the tie to be played in the week beginning Monday, 25 August.

Swansea overcame League Two Crawley Town in round one on Tuesday, while Plymouth – who were relegated from the Championship last season – beat second-tier side Queens Park Rangers.

The draw means attacking midfielder Jamie Paterson, who signed for Plymouth in the summer, could return to the Swansea.com Stadium, as could former Swans loanee Matty Sorinola.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Alan Sheehan is backing Ethan Galbraith to shine in the Championship after the midfielder's bright start to life at Swansea City.

Galbraith marked his home debut with a fine late goal as Swansea beat League Two Crawley Town in the Carabao Cup first round on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old, a summer signing from League One side Leyton Orient, had also impressed during pre-season and was one of Swansea's better performers in their opening-day Championship defeat by Middlesbrough.

Northern Ireland international Galbraith has played at the base of midfield and in a more advanced role in his brief Swansea career, while he also spent time at right-back during his spell with Orient.

Head coach Sheehan described Galbraith's display against Crawley as "excellent".

"He is a player we are integrating," he added.

"He has good technical ability. We just need to get that level of consistency and he can be a very good player for us."

Galbraith's stoppage-time volley sealed Swansea's first win of the new season, with Ronald and Bobby Wales also finding the target in a 3-1 victory.

After a toothless display at Middlesbrough, the Swans created a host of chances against Crawley and should have won more comfortably.

"It's important to win, no matter what competition it is," added Sheehan.

"Obviously the league is the most important thing. We would have liked a point [at Middlesbrough] – I think it was a 0-0 game.

"But we debriefed it. We wanted to create more chances, attack faster, link up in the wide areas and the central areas and mix up our play better because we were a small bit one-dimensional in the second half.

"I think it was really good response by the players."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

BBC Sport Wales asked Swansea City fans for their views after the opening day defeat at Middlesbrough in the Championship. Here's what they said:

Gary: "It's been obvious since [Joel] Piroe left that Swansea need a striker, [Liam] Cullen can score goals in the Championship and in internationals but he is not a striker, the Swans need a 20 goals a season, proven striker, but they do not grow on trees and the Swans are not willing to splash the cash, so it'll probably be an unknown like Piroe or give one of the youngsters a go."

Gareth: "This Swansea team, with Alan Sheehan, can beat anyone on their day. Swansea are getting stronger again now and that counts for a lot."

Alan: "Poor start but only to be expected when you sell off all the talent once again."

Max: "Terrible. Needs to change soon, otherwise a long season in a relegation battle. Squad seems one or two short, as some players are prone to injury. Sheffield United next, a tough game, but a real chance for the crowd to get behind the players at home."

Ian: "Same story every year, hardly any shots on goal. Manager bemoaning lack of creativity when he is the man supposed to sort that out. I can see the script continuing all year."

Richard: "The new players need time to settle in. Swansea knew that they needed a quality striker at the end of last season, but is it going to be the same old story. We tried but just couldn't get a deal over the line. I feel so sorry for all the loyal fans. Another long hard season ahead."

Ron: "It looks like we need a centre forward".

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Swansea City have met Crawley Town only once in their history, during the run which ended with the Welsh club's one major trophy.

Twelve years on from their triumph over Bradford City at Wembley, Swansea face Crawley once more in the League Cup.

The circumstances are a little different this time around. Crawley are in League Two rather than League One, as they were when Swansea – then of the Premier League – visited in September 2012.

Swansea's starting side that night featured the likes of Ben Davies, Leon Britton and Ki Sung-Yueng as well as Michu, who scored to put Michael Laudrup's team 1-0 up.

But Crawley threatened to cause a shock as they led 2-1 with 16 minutes remaining, only for Danny Graham to level before a rare goal from club skipper Garry Monk gave Swansea victory in stoppage time.

Five months later, Monk and Co were lifting the trophy under Wembley's arch.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

The best Swansea have managed since then in the League Cup is two runs to the fourth round, in 2014-15 and 2017-18.

Having been knocked out in round two in each of the last two seasons, Swansea will hope to clear the first hurdle in what is now the Carabao Cup as Alan Sheehan eyes a first win of 2025-26.

This is a first home game of the new campaign for Sheehan's team, who were beaten by a set-piece goal in a forgettable Championship opener at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

With Sheffield United to come next in the league this weekend, a win against a Crawley side who have begun the campaign with back-to-back fourth tier defeats would be welcome – while anything less would mean a blow to early-season morale.

Image source, BBC Sport

Swansea City started the 2025-26 season just as they did last year's campaign - with a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough.

It was a disappointing way to open Alan Sheehan's first full season in charge, with the head coach bemoaning Swansea's lack of attacking threat after Boro went in front.

But he will hope for a better week at home when they host Crawley in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night (19:00 BST) and Sheffield United in the Championship on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Two of Swansea's summer signings made their debuts in the starting line-up at the Riverside Stadium - defender Cameron Burgess and midfielder Ethan Galbraith - while others were introduced off the bench.

So what did you make of the new recruits? And the performance overall? What does Sheehan still need to do in the transfer market?

Let us know your views by clicking here.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Swansea City will look to get their season up and running on Tuesday night when they host League Two Crawley Town in the Carabao Cup (19:00 BST).

Alan Sheehan's Swans began their Championship campaign on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat away to a Middlesbrough side coached by Welshman Rob Edwards.

New loanee Kaelan Casey came off the bench in the second half at the Riverside to make his Swansea debut, and the 20-year-old from West Ham United is hoping for a bigger slice of the action against Crawley - and a first run-out in front of the home supporters at the Swansea.com Stadium.

"I'm looking forward to Tuesday and hopefully I'll get some more minutes," Casey said.

"You should never underestimate any team really, but I'm looking forward to it and can't wait to play in front of the fans.

"We've got some really good defenders here... the skipper Ben [Cabango], Cameron [Burgess] - experienced players and I think I can learn off of them as well.

"But hopefully further into the season I'll get some minutes and we'll see."

Crawley come into the game on the back of defeat to another Welsh club, having lost 2-1 at home on Saturday to Newport County in League Two.

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea City began their Championship campaign on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough, Dael Fry scoring the decisive goal for Rob Edwards' side from a corner.

Kaelan Casey, who only joined last Wednesday on a season-long loan from West Ham United, made his Swans debut off the bench at the Riverside, the 20-year-old replacing Ben Cabango in the 75th minute with the centre-back suffering from cramp.

"First half I think we played really well," said Casey. "Second half we conceded from a set piece which is not great, but I think going to training we'll work on some stuff and be back for the next game.

"I came in the other day, trained a couple of times but really looking forward to the season ahead."

An England Under-20 international, Casey has made two substitute appearances in the Premier League for West Ham but has been allowed to leave in order to gain first-team experience.

"I've come here to test myself and see what I can do," he added. "But I've mainly come to help the team out and try as do as well as we can.

"It's a family club, the facilities here, the players, they way we play [are good]. I spoke to the manager (Alan Sheehan) to see the way he wanted to play and that attracted me to come here."

Swansea City play their first home game of the season on Tuesday night when they host Crawley Town in the Carabao Cup (19:00 BST).

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

There may have been a feeling of deja vu for the 685 travelling fans at the Riverside on Saturday.

Swansea City have a different head coach, director of football, chief executive and ownership group compared to the opening day of last season.

But once again the Welsh club started their Championship campaign with a trip to Middlesbrough – and once again they were beaten 1-0.

This was a different type of contest. Last year, Luke Williams' Swansea side had almost 64% of possession on the opening day, yet it was Boro who deserved the points having managed 18 shots compared to only five from the visitors.

This time around, Boro had 53.5% of the ball but just six efforts on goal compared to Swansea's three.

In truth, this weekend's trip to Teesside was a forgettable one, with Sheehan's team looking reasonably solid defensively but short of attacking quality.

It was a similar story for Middlesbrough, who could not have grumbled too much had the game finished goalless. It was that sort of match.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

An away draw would have represented a decent start to the season for Swansea.

But even a battling point would not have masked the fact that Sheehan's side need to be much better going forward if they are to maintain their springtime momentum in the early weeks of the new campaign.

As was the case 12 months ago, it is obvious Swansea's squad is lacking in certain areas.

But the failure to threaten a Boro side who also look like a work in progress cannot simply be put down to the need for further new recruits.

Those players already on the books must produce more than this.

The hope for Sheehan must be that after a disrupted pre-season for a number of his forward players, greater match sharpness will bring greater menace in the final third.