Championship: 

 

Swansea City 1 - Bristol City 3

Swansea City’s hopes of automatic promotion were dealt a damaging blow by Bristol City following a bizarre 90 minutes at the Liberty Stadium, writes Fraser Watson.

The home side dominated the first half but were kept at bay by some outstanding saves from Bristol’s Dan Bentley – but finally broke the deadlock in the second half through Andre Ayew’s penalty. 
 

Victory handed over in last quarter

However, the Swans then endured a turbulent final 25 minutes, and contrived to concede three avoidable goals from Nakhi Wells, Kasey Palmer, and Antoine Semenyo. 

On a day when Brentford also won, the defeat left Steve Cooper’s side four points off the top two, albeit with games in hand. 
 

All Swans in first half

Ironically, the hosts started with far more flow and threat than in recent weeks, and twice Bentley did brilliantly to stop angled shots from Jamal Loew and then Yan Dhanda. 

The keeper also denied Connor Hourihane before Connor Roberts, a constant threat throughout the first half, saw his low cross evade a sliding Jake Bidwell by inches. 

The pressure continued as Ayew had a scrambled effort cleared off the line and then Bentley was at it again, saving Hourihane’s header from point blank range. 
 

Deserved lead taken – but then thrown away

Ten minutes in to the second half however, Swansea’s dominance came to fruition when former loanee Kasey Palmer needlessly handled a Matt Grimes cross – and Ayew buried the spot kick low into the bottom corner. 

But things unravelled soon after as Bristol, who had Nigel Pearson in charge for the first time, struck back with their first shot on target as Nakhi Wells swept home from Zak Vyner’s low cross. 

Marc Guehi went close to restoring Swansea’s lead but then on the 80 minute mark came a body blow as Palmer’s in-swinging corner evaded Woodman and went straight into the net. 

Substitute Paul Arriola then blasted over a golden chance to level matters before Woodman suffered further woes deep into injury time – seeing his clearance kick charged down by Antoine Semenyo who then tapped into an empty net to seal a perfect start for Pearson. 

As for Swansea, they now must respond on Wednesday evening when they go to Stoke. 

Steve Cooper: 
“The first half was as good as we’ve been and I won’t lose sight of that - but we want to be playing like that to win games and we should have today.  

“It could have been done and dusted in the first half and we should have been two or three goals up at least. We didn’t take our chances but still managed to start the second half well and had complete dominance of the game. 

“Freddie made a couple of mistakes for the second and third goal - we know that. But he’s been brilliant for us since he came through the door. 

“Things are going to happen between now and the end of the season. We’ve got to deal with whatever and look forward. It’s painful sitting here after that but I’ll regroup with the boys and get ready for the next one.” 

Swansea City: Woodman; Latibeaudiere (Whittaker 83), Cabango, Guehi; Roberts, Grimes (C), Hourihane (Arriola 81), Dhanda (Fulton 78), Bidwell; Ayew, Lowe. Subs not used: Hamer, Naughton, B Cooper, Manning, Arriola, O Cooper, Smith, Whittaker.