Match report: Swansea City 3 Blackburn Rovers 1

Again they were handed the lead through Charlie Mulgrew and appeared comfortable as they took a 1-0 half-time lead at the Liberty Stadium. But two goals in the space of three minutes, scored by substitute Jay Fulton, and Conor Roberts, and a late breakaway from Bersant Celina saw Swansea City to a 3-1 win.

Tony Mowbray’s decision to name an unchanged team for the first time this season was a show of faith in the team which had beaten Leeds United three days earlier.

But he was forced into an early alteration as Darragh Lenihan was forced off with a back problem after just 12 minutes, with Jack Rodwell on in his place.

Adam Armstrong was looking to build on his impressive display against Leeds and carried Rovers’ main threat going forward in the opening stages. After six shots on Saturday, he managed three in the first half here, including two in the opening four minutes.

Operating on the left, the flying Armstrong was a rarity in that he was looking to add pace to a game which at times was played at walking pace, which sucked the atmosphere out of the Liberty Stadium.

Not that Rovers were complaining as they kept their shape out of possession, allowing Swansea to play in front of them and looking comfortable in doing so.

The opening quarter of the game was little more than gentle sparring before Rovers dealt the first blow of the night in the 26th minute. Armstrong linked up with Amari’i Bell down the left, with the full-back chopped to the ground by Kyle Naughton after checking back on his right foot.

Referee Geoff Eltrincham had no hesitation in awarding a penalty, with Mulgrew taking the honours from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to put Rovers ahead.

The third of Armstrong’s three first-half shots, after being found well by Richie Smallwood, was deflected into the arms of Kristoffer Norfeldt, who held on well.

IN MUCH the same way Rovers were beaten at Bristol City in their previous away defeat, the game at Swansea City slipped away from them in the second half.

Again they were handed the lead through Charlie Mulgrew and appeared comfortable as they took a 1-0 half-time lead at the Liberty Stadium. But two goals in the space of three minutes, scored by substitute Jay Fulton, and Conor Roberts, and a late breakaway from Bersant Celina saw Swansea City to a 3-1 win.

Tony Mowbray’s decision to name an unchanged team for the first time this season was a show of faith in the team which had beaten Leeds United three days earlier.

But he was forced into an early alteration as Darragh Lenihan was forced off with a back problem after just 12 minutes, with Jack Rodwell on in his place.

Adam Armstrong was looking to build on his impressive display against Leeds and carried Rovers’ main threat going forward in the opening stages. After six shots on Saturday, he managed three in the first half here, including two in the opening four minutes.

Operating on the left, the flying Armstrong was a rarity in that he was looking to add pace to a game which at times was played at walking pace, which sucked the atmosphere out of the Liberty Stadium.

Not that Rovers were complaining as they kept their shape out of possession, allowing Swansea to play in front of them and looking comfortable in doing so.

The opening quarter of the game was little more than gentle sparring before Rovers dealt the first blow of the night in the 26th minute. Armstrong linked up with Amari’i Bell down the left, with the full-back chopped to the ground by Kyle Naughton after checking back on his right foot.

Referee Geoff Eltrincham had no hesitation in awarding a penalty, with Mulgrew taking the honours from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to put Rovers ahead.

The third of Armstrong’s three first-half shots, after being found well by Richie Smallwood, was deflected into the arms of Kristoffer Norfeldt, who held on well.

A shot on target was something of a rarity though, with the Swans who had seen Bersant Celina blast a 10th minute strike over the bar, failing to test David Raya in the opening 45 minutes.

In their own patient fashion though, the hosts were growing into the game, particularly down the left in which ex-Rover Martin Olsson was getting plenty of space.

Elliott Bennett was caught upfield and took a booking for his troubles two minutes before the break for a wild lunge on Dan James. From the resulting corner, Bennett headed up rather than away, but Matt Grimes dragged his right footed shot wide.

Sensing the need for more urgency, the Swans made two changes at the break, both in midfield, as Leroy Fer and Jay Fulton came on.

Youngster Dan James was first to threaten an equaliser, as Rodwell blocked his shot at the end of a driving run, before firing over from 12 yards after ghosting in to the box unmarked.

After a bright start from the hosts, the game had reverted back towards that of the first half, when out of the blue, in the 65th minute, the hosts levelled. Substitute Fulton took aim from distance, his shot tipped on to the post by Raya, and rolled agonisingly over the line, seemingly off the back of the unfortunate Rovers keeper.

And within three minutes the game was turned on its head. James this time drove at the Rovers defence, dragging three players out of position. Conor Roberts made an angled run from out wide, taking him clear of Bell before finding the bottom corner.

Rovers were looking lost, as two more breaks from James almost put the game beyond doubt. The first, in behind Mulgrew, saw him crash a shot off the outside of the post, while the top of the crossbar denied him after a burst down the left.

As it looked as though a fightback was beyond them, Bennett made an untracked break at the back post to meet an Armstrong cross but could only guide it too close to the keeper who held on.

But Norfeldt would make a magnificent save to keep their lead intact, keeping out a Dack half volley which looked destined for the bottom corner.

And it was very much game over within 60 seconds as a break led by Fer fed Celina, who dinked the ball over the advancing Raya.