Ipswich keep up pace with hard-fought win at Swansea

Ipswich Town kept up the pace in the chase for automatic promotion with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Swansea City.

Swansea struggled for a while before finding an equaliser, Jerry Yates touching the ball in from close range from Cabango’s knockdown.

But Ipswich quickly scored what proved to be the decisive second goal before half-time, Conor Chaplin finishing smartly from Leif Davis’ low cross.

After a run of only one win in nine Championship games, Ipswich are three points behind second-placed Leeds United having registered back-to-back away victories this week.

But this was another demoralising day for Swansea, who slip to within four points of the relegation zone having taken only four points from seven league games since Luke Williams took over as head coach.

Ipswich had served up a reminder that they are still very much in the top-two race by romping to victory at Millwall in midweek – 24 hours after Swansea had been thrashed at home by Leeds.

Kieran McKenna’s team carried on in south Wales where they had left off in south London, coming close through Leif Davis – whose shot was tipped over – and Cameron Burgess – who headed wide – before snatching the early advantage.

The goal was ugly from Swansea’s point of view, the home side appealing in vain for a foul after Omari Hutchinson challenged Josh Tymon before Cabango’s loose pass sent Broadhead racing through on goal.

The Wales international forward accepted the gift, lofting the ball neatly over the advancing Rushworth and over the line.

Swansea were playing like a team struggling for confidence, yet they found a response from a set-piece, Yates sticking out his left leg and just making strong enough contact as the ball bounced in off the far post to give him a first league goal in 13 appearances.

Yet Ipswich immediately regained the momentum, Davis racing on to Burgess’ ball down the left before picking out the unmarked Chaplin.

His first-time finish was crisp and precise, the ball skidding low into the bottom corner.

Kieffer Moore almost ended the contest early in the second half when his fierce drive was pushed on to the bar buy Rushworth, while Jeremy Sarmiento was also denied by the on-loan Brighton keeper.

Swansea kept plugging away in search of a second equaliser, with Liam Cullen sending an effort straight at Vaclav Hladky before the Ipswich goalkeeper reacted sharply to push away Harry Darling’s deflected cross.

Wes Burns hit the outside of the post from a tight angle in added time, but the near-miss did not matter – Ipswich’s work was done.

Swansea head coach Luke Williams:

“Today we were more than a match [for Ipswich]. There’s almost nothing between the teams in terms of the numbers.

“But we came off second best. There are some positives in there I am sure. I probably need 24 hours to start feeling them, but the players are completely committed. I think they showed that again today.

“We can’t question the effort. The goals we concede are unnecessary. Tymon gets bumped the wrong side and then Cabango kicks the floor a little bit. That’s a ridiculous way to concede.

“Then a free-kick in the opposition’s half. No-one steps forward to press, one ball in the channel, no marking in the box. We don’t need to concede a goal like that.”

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna:

“I really enjoyed it. it was a tough game, a proper game. It took a really, really good performance to come out on the right side of it.

“I thought we showed all our best bits in different times in the game.

“We played some brave football, created opportunities from that and scored two goals.

“The organisation to limit them in free play was good. Probably the biggest thing was the commitment and the effort in difficult conditions.”