Ten-man Swansea City edge past promotion-pushing Blackburn Rovers

Michael Obafemi’s header secured three points for Russell Martin’s Swansea City against a below-par Blackburn Rovers.

Ryan Manning was sent off, but the atmosphere and a resolute backline helped the hosts over the line.

Blackburn created the first chance, with Ryan Nyambe surging down the right-hand side to squeeze back for John Buckley, who could only scuff an effort into Alex Fisher’s grasp.

Russell Martin’s men had been crying out for creativity in matches previous. The jigsaw piece came in the returning form of Jamie Paterson.

His cross, placed almost perfectly into Michael Obafemi’s path, was nodded home with ease by the Irish international for his second Swansea goal.

Darragh Lenihan struck the post for Rovers just moments later, with Buckley skying an easy finish to equalise.

Rovers thought they had a penalty, but Buckley, again involved, was rightly booked for simulation by referee Tim Robinson.

Joe Rothwell had the first chance of the second half, beating three Swansea defenders before his shot ricocheted for a corner.

Swansea were down to ten in the early embers of the second period, after Ryan Manning recklessly challenged whilst on a yellow card. Ryan Bennett and Korey Smith replaced Olivier Ntcham and the goalscorer, Obafemi, in response.

One would expect a ‘kitchen sink’ to be thrown in the direction of Fisher’s net. It wasn’t until the 87th minute, approximately half an hour after the sending off, that they tested him.

Jan Paul van Hecke’s looping header needed to be saved, but Lenihan’s sliced effort, which flashed past the post, luckily didn’t.

Scott Wharton was the next to test the former MK Dons man, but his header from close range was easy to block.

The result sees the Swans climb to 35 points, with Blackburn still clutch onto second with Bournemouth and leaders Fulham having two games in hand.

Swansea City: Fisher; Cabango, Downes, Manning; Christie, Ntcham, Grimes (C), Wolf; Paterson; Obafemi, Piroe.

Subs: Hamer, Burns, Latibeaudiere, Fulton, Bennett, Smith, Joseph.

Blackburn Rovers: Kaminski, Nyambe, Lenihan, Van Hecke, Wharton, Zeefuik, Travis, Rothwell, Buckley, Giles, Hedges

Subs: Pears, Ayala, Rankin-Costello, Davenport, Johnson, Khadra, Brereton Diaz

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