Phil SumblerThere are many ways to write yourself into football folklore in South Wales but managing your side to a 3-0 win in the South Wales derby is one of the easiest ones of them and that is something that Russell Martin managed with some ease this afternoon thanks to the best performance of his reign.
Goals from Jamie Paterson, Joel Piroe and Jake Bidwell told just half the story as the Swans domination of their South Wales rivals was summed up with 74% possession and a host of chances that could have created some serious embarrassment in Cardiff this evening.
As it was three goals should be enough to do that in itself and Martin could find that his side’s dominance is the final nail in the coffin for Mick McCarthy who oversaw what could be his last match in charge of Cardiff after a sixth consecutive defeat left his tenure hanging by a thread.
Today though was about Russell Martin and the latest installment of his Swansea career that is slowly starting to take some shape in the way that the passes come together and today we showed that those passes can see much created although you could debate whether we will find an easier afternoon then against Cardiff’s over generous defence.
Martin told the official website after the game “It was an incredible performance. I’m just really proud of the players, the courage they showed, on an occasion like this as well,” he said.
“I feel like it’s been coming, a performance like that. I feel like we’ve been really dominant in games and not quite created enough or, when we have, not quite had the composure and poise to finish it off.
“Today, the guys have handled the occasion brilliantly. We spoke before the game about weathering the storm early on while Cardiff have intensity and aggression.
“After that, I thought we controlled the match in a really good way.
“But the guys managed it brilliantly. We’ve won 3-0, they deserve it, they’ve kept another clean sheet. I’m so proud of them.”
