Phil SumblerThree games in six days is always a challenge for any team and this afternoon it proved to be one step to far for Russell Martin’s side as they fell to defeat at Birmingham on an afternoon where we managed just one shot on target.
That shot was converted by Swans striker Michael Obafemi but it came either side of two goals for the home side – their first goals in seven games – and meant that the week ended with two wins and a defeat for the Swans.
It looked a tired performance for the Swans almost from the off as the quick pace and creativity shown against Cardiff and West Brom were missing sadly as the home side stamped more and more authority on the game the longer it went on.
Misplaced passes and sloppy defending appeared to be the order of the day for the Swans as Birmingham showed great threat towards our defence and could consider themselves marginally unlucky to have a goal ruled out for offside during the first half as they looked to make their dominance pay.
It didn’t take long though for them to get their rewards and it came from a loose touch by Laird which opened the door for a drive down the wing before a ball found the Blues captain Troy Deeney who took one touch before finding the back of the net.
The lead could have been doubled when Birmingham broke clear but Hamer saved the day to keep the Swans in it. And for a few minutes it looked as if we may come back into it as Obafemi ran onto a long ball from Manning to score his first Swans goal with the equaliser.
Level terms did not last long though as McGree ran into the area, saw his first effort saved, but the rebound fell nicely for him and he had the easy task of steering the ball into an empty net to secure the points for the home side.
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