Liam Cullen on scoresheet as Swansea secure first away win at Coventry

Posted Sunday, September 22, 2024 by PA

Swansea earned their first points on the road this season by securing a 2-1 victory over Coventry at the CBS Arena.

Luke Williams’ side raced into a two-goal lead in the opening half-hour thanks to goals from Liam Cullen and Oli Cooper, before Ronald’s own goal gave Coventry a route back into the match.

It had been a miserable start away from the Swansea.com Stadium for the Welsh outfit, who had lost both of their previous away fixtures without scoring.

In a frantic first half, Swansea took the lead when Matt Grimes’ free-kick dropped to the feet of Cullen and the forward made no mistake drilling home from close range.

Norman Bassette was making his first league start after his performance in the Sky Blues’ agonising 2-1 defeat by Tottenham earlier in midweek and he forced Laurence Vigouroux into his first save with a powerful left-footed strike.

From the resulting corner, Bobby Thomas met Jack Rudoni’s corner but he could not find the target with his improvised flick at goal.

The visitors also looked a threat from set-pieces throughout the first half as Harry Darling and Eom Ji-sung both went close from corners.

The Swans doubled their lead just past the half-hour mark when Wales international Cooper cut inside and fired into the bottom corner via a deflection.

Coventry wasted no time in halving the deficit when Rudoni took aim from distance and his effort cannoned off the head of Ronald past a helpless Vigouroux.

Bassette had a golden chance to equalise before the break when he met Jake Bidwell’s deflected cross but could only head against the crossbar.

Brandon Thomas-Asante had also been given the nod in attack after his first Coventry goal in midweek, stinging the palms of Vigouroux after dragging two shots wide earlier in the half.

Ronald came close to atoning for his own goal immediately after the interval when his effort struck the outside of a post, while Josh Key flashed an effort over the crossbar.

Referee James Linnington briefly took the players off the pitch in the second half for safety reasons due to the inclement weather in the West Midlands and Coventry came out looking for their equaliser after the stoppage.

Former Liverpool stopper Vigouroux had to be alert again to keep out substitute Mason Ephron-Clark, who also fired over inside the last 10 minutes.

Fellow substitute Victor Torp also tried his luck from range before Coventry had appeals for a penalty waved away, leaving Mark Robins’ side with only one win from their six league outings this season.