Championship:

 

Swansea City 1 - Nottingham Forest 0

 
It was anything but a vintage Swansea display, but Connor Roberts' late header gave Steve Cooper’s side a fortuitous 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Liberty Stadium last night, writes Fraser Watson.

The visitors, who only last month were beaten 5-1 at the same venue in the FA Cup, were the better team and manager Chris Hughton had reason to feel aggrieved after Roberts capitalised on his side’s only clear chance.

 

Forest fare better in tame first half

 

A tame opening saw Swansea go nearest when Conor Hourihane’s tame 20 yard shot went wide, but from there on Forest were in the ascendancy.

Anthony Knockaert’s cross narrowly evaded Lewis Grabban, leaving Swansea keeper Freddie Woodman to scramble the ball away from danger.

And with the last kick of the half it was Knockaert who was inches from striking as his curled left foot effort beat Woodman but bounced over off the bar.

 

Swans struggle – until Roberts’ late strike snatches all three points

 

After the break Knockaert threatened again but headed a golden chance wide and Grabban blasted an effort inches past the far post. The visitors also wasted a ‘3 on 1’ on the break late on as Swansea tried to push forward but with little fruition.

Until three minutes from time that is, when Jake Bidwell latched onto Andre Ayew’s pass and crossed left footed for his fellow full back to power a header past Forest keeper Brice Samba.

 

Good news from elsewhere

 

It was the second time this season Roberts had headed home the only goal against Forest, doing the same at the City Ground in November, and a further lift for the Swans came in the form of news of QPR’s last comeback to beat Brentford.

It means Cooper’s side are just a point outside Brentford in second place, five points off Norwich, with two games in hand on both.

Swansea City: Woodman; Naughton (Morris 67), Bennett, Guehi; Roberts, Grimes (C), Hourihane (Smith 88), Fulton, Bidwell; Ayew, Lowe (Arriola 83).
Subs (not used): Hamer, Latibeaudiere, Cabango, Manning, Dhanda, Whittaker.