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Swansea City gained revenge for defeat in Cardiff last year by putting the capital side to the sword thanks to goals from Liam Cullen and Jamal Lowe. It could have been more had Cullen not missed a second half penalty.
Cardiff City came into the Welsh derby on the back of a spirited run of victories, including a sensational last gasp win over Ipswich Town in the Welsh capital last time out. Swansea City’s form had included defeat at nearby Bristol City.
The visitors sprang a surprise with the inclusion of Wales skipper Aaron Ramsey on the bench, following a lengthy injury absence. Joe Allen, another Welsh hero of Euro 2016 started for the hosts.
In a white hot atmosphere under grey South Wales skies, the home side forced a corner from which Matt Grimes fired narrowly wide. Early Swansea pressure to excite the Jack Army. Welsh cap Liam Cullen fired over as the Swans looked in control. Allen at the heart of it all. Cullen again sent another effort zipping wide.
The visiting Bluebirds tried hard to settle against a stream of white shirted attack. Nat Phillips and Dimitrios Goutas were at the heart of the Cardiff resistance. They were powerless to prevent Harry Darling crashing a header against the bar on 20 minutes though.
The battle of these near neighbours kept referee David Webb on his toes, as we saw three yellow cards in the opening half an hour. With the scores still level though, the noise from the home fans began to dissipate. The visitors forced their first corner on 25 minutes. Unproductive.
Yakou Meite and Manolis Siopis were showing more influence for the men in blue as this exciting game settled.
Liam Cullen volleyed in a goal on 34 minutes though, which the home pressure probably deserved, despite what looked like a foul on Perry Ng by Przemyslaw Placheta . Cue mass noise now. Ronald blasted over as the Swans finished the first half in charge.
Cardiff City made important changes at half time. Rubin Colwill replaced David Turnbull and Callum O’Dowda took over from Meite, who was perhaps lucky to have stayed on after a first half exchange with Darling. Cardiff manager Erol Bulut referred later to the “artistic movement” of the Swansea star.
The second half almost began in tears for the Bluebirds, but Cullen slid a penalty wide after a tangle between Ng and Ronald. Would that prove a turning point?
Colwill shot over the bar after an hour but was becoming more involved in all of Cardiff’s best bits.
The second 45 perhaps lacked the intensity of the first half but both sides were still in it. Cullen headed wide on 67 minutes. Maybe he should have had a hat trick!
A host of changes were made on 70 minutes. Allen had been superb but was rested. Ramsey came on for the Bluebirds. Surely he couldn’t…..could he?
Cardiff City were more in the game but Swans remained ahead, finding spaces. Colwill pirouetted and turned whenever possible. Phillps headed a corner over Carl Rushworth’s bar. 10 minutes left. It felt like Cardiff’s to save. The home fans in the 20,000 crowd roared their hymns & arias out. Stirring stuff, but home nerves were jangling as the visitors pressed forward.
We entered five added minutes as the rain swirled about us. Ramsey scuffed a shot at goal after neat footwork. Cardiff chased the game.
But it was not to be. Swansea grabbed a breakaway goal through Jamal Lowe to spark joyous scenes around the Swansea.com. Cardiff City ‘s winning streak was over. The Swans had now won 8 out of 11.
But this was this was the one that mattered most.
Swansea City 2
Cardiff City 0
DAVID COLLINS
WELSH FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
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