SUNDERLAND 0
SWANSEA CITY 1
Cabango 58
Alan Sheehan believes it is an “incredible achievement” that Swansea City’s players have turned things around to climb into the top half of the Championship after an impressive victory over Sunderland.
It was only the second time the Black Cats have been defeated on home soil this season and saw the Swans climb up to 12th.
Fourth-placed Sunderland were undone by Ben Cabango’s goal for the visitors.
The Swansea caretaker-boss gave his thoughts on his side’s recent run of form.
Satisfied
He said: “My memo was to keep this team in the league, so to go into the top half of the table is an incredible achievement by the players.
“I am satisfied.
“Compare where we are to where we were, and we are in a really good place.
“In order to build a good team you need to build character, resilience, togetherness etc.
“This was the third game in a week and it was a case of getting through and digging in like we did for the last 20 minutes.
“We have beaten Derby, who are flying high at the moment, we beat Plymouth, we have come here and that’s three wins and three clean sheets.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of the players.
Wonderful
“We were coming up against a very good team, we had to respect how good a team they are.
“I am taking one game at a time.
“If I said this week was busy, it would be an understatement.
“Everything I do is focused on how we set up our team to be the most aggressive, to be the best version of ourselves.
“I am enjoying myself.
“It’s a wonderful football club and it is going really well.
“To get six clean sheets in nine, you have to be a good team.”
CAPTAIN MARVEL: Ben Cabango wheels away after grabbing Swansea’s goal
PICTURES: Alamy
Match action
Lewis O’Brien should have put the Swans ahead in the first minute.
But his volley down into the ground bounced into the arms of goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.
But after that Sunderland – who had an early Wilson Isidor goal ruled out for offside – enjoyed more of the possession, despite struggling to make an impact in and around the penalty area.
The best and only real chance that was created in the opening period from the home side was when Tommy Watson cut back inside his marker and saw a shot saved by Lawrence Vigouroux.
Eom Ji-Sung’s free-kick from the right was not dealt with by the home defence.
After Harry Darling’s initial header crashed against the crossbar, Cabango forced the rebound over the line in the 58th minute.
That gave Swansea even more confidence to move forward, even though Sunderland introduced Enzo le Fee and Eliezer Mayenda in a bid to improve things.
Full-back Trai Hume rolled a tame effort into the arms of Vigouroux after some clever wing play from Patrick Roberts.
There was one late scare for the away side when Mayenda went down under a challenge from Ji-Sung in the box.
But referee Farai Hallam waved appeals from the stands away and Sheehan had an impressive third win in a row.
Star Man – Ben Cabango (Swansea City)
READ MORE: Swansea ease Championship relegation fears as Plymouth Argyle remain in deep trouble
Cardiff City
Omer Riza is proud of his Cardiff City troops
Championship
OLIVER’S SET FOR BIG STEP
