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

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt

Share and Enjoy !

Shares
Chris Stonadge

Sports Journalism student, streamer at LFC Transfer Room, Anfield Agenda. Liverpool fan with a particular interest in Welsh, Youth, and African football.

Recent Posts

Reign FC 2-0 over Angel City to kick off 2025 second half

Seattle Reign FC 2 Angel City FC 0 August 1, 2025 Lumen Field - Seattle,…

5 hours ago

Timbers get a great start in League’s Cup with a 4-0 win over Atlético de San Luis

The Portland Timbers got a statement win to build confidence after a somber run at…

13 hours ago

Rapids come from behind to defeat Santos Laguna

Colorado Rapids 2-1 Santos Laguna COMMERCE CITY, CO--Colorado continued their mastery over Liga MX sides.…

16 hours ago

League Two 2025/26 preview: Jamie McCreedy tips Chesterfield for promotion push

With the League Two season kicking off this weekend, Jamie McCreedy has given his league…

17 hours ago

Sounders thrash Cruz Azul

Cruz Azul 0-7 Seattle Sounders FC SEATTLE, WA--It was "Seventh Heaven" for the Sounders against…

1 day ago

Little League in Canada

VICTORIA, BC--And now for something completely different. With the Little League World Series just around…

1 day ago